Restoring my 1974 Charger SE - remove A/C unit?

[leffer]

Greetings!

After having this beauty for 25 years (and sadly neglecting it) It's time to start bringing her back to life!

I bought this (in great condition) in 1995 for $400 from a farmer in Colorado. I drove it up until 1999, where I moved out of state and kept it in CO in a friends storage. It took me several years to go back to CO and haul all the way to Minnesota (where I am now). It took some time to establish myself and have time/money to contribute to it, and now that time is finally here.

There's loads of work to do on it and as of now, I only added new fluids along with plugs, thermostat and other misc stuff. The last time I drove it was about 11 years ago and it's been sitting since (ugh).

I thought the radiator was leaking, but after flushing water through it, it seems fine, but the leak is coming from the lower area on the engine, and the front...so water pump? Also, with the AC unit, I'm wondering if I should just get rid of it while replacing the water pump or still leave it intact? Any insight is appreciated.

Cheers
https://imgur.com/a/jP6QQxk

[gtx6970]

No way would I delete it. IMO only

[CDN72SE]

Welcome to the sight; keep it, I regret tossing my whole system.

[Nacho-RT74]

are you sure is an SE ? except for the grilles it seems to be a spring special, due the rallye stripe color, body color and what is visible of the seats covers.

Althought is true by 74 was posible to order that stripe on SEs, but... the seat covers made me doubt!!!

https://car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=138407

The opera window without louvers ( M07 code on tag ), was optional on Spring Specials too, but common on them along with the full vinyl roof

[leffer]

Thanks everyone for chiming in! I'll here often as I may need some advice/insight Curious on the SE question though. The ornament does say SE, but I'll double check.

[Nacho-RT74]

Forgot the SE had the Spring special package also as an option ( on circle ):

[leffer]

Ok. So here's the list of what I've done and sadly, after all that it's not turning over. No sound, no clicks, but with the new battery some dash components are coming on, although it still seems a bit weak. I attached a video of the process but I assume it's electrical on why it won't start?

- New water pump
- oil change
- new plugs
- fresh gas
- new belts and hoses
- new thermostat
- new battery and terminals
- new alternator
Here's a link to some issues
https://youtu.be/FY4ulDyGgBQ

[Pete in NH]

Hi and welcome,

I watched your video. That the ammeter swings toward negative when you turn the key is a good sign, the fusible link is okay. I"m not an expert on the 74's mines a 71. There may be a seat belt interlock system in play that prevents the car from starting. Maybe someone else will chime in on that. One thing for sure is you will need a factory service manual for wiring diagrams and a whole lot more as you work on the car. Do you have one? I would not remove the A/C components.

[70 sublime]

Your map light that came on under the dash comes on when the door opens so you might just have a blown light bulb in the dome

Your alt gauge goes negative because the door is open and the map light is on
Blinks more negative when the 4 ways were on drawing more power

When you turned the key to the run position it looks like the ignition comes on and discharge more

So maybe it is the seat belt thing so try putting the seat belt on OR it could be the NSS ( neutral safety switch ) not hooked up on the transmission

Think I would try turning the key to the start position and move the gear shift at the same time all the way up and down a couple times to see if the NSS is just stuck a bit

[ODZKing]

I would never delete my A/C system.
In fact I am sorry I converted my 73 over to the new compressor and system. But it seemed like the right thing to do at the time since it was missing pieces of the original system.
I would keep it, restore it and enjoy it. My 

[leffer]

Great, thank you all for chiming in, it helps as I'm not the biggest gear head (slowly learning). I don't have a service manual but will be getting the CD ordered here shortly. I don't recall ever having to put on belt and keep door shut to start (interlock) but will definitely give it a try.

I'll keep you all updated as things progress. Cold weather is coming here in Minnesota and sadly don't have a garage (only driveway). So times against me at the moment.