My load of new parts arrived today. Compressor/clutch, condenser, accumalator, oriface tube and o-ring kit. Compressor is factory full of the right oil. My plan is to install all the stuff and drive down to my AC guy and have him pull the system down and recharge. Do I risk cratering the new compressor by drivng it to the AC shop in this condition? :?:

I've been known to be wrong, but....... Unless you turn on the AC (or maybe defroster) the AC clutch shouldn't engage so you should be safe enough. Wouldn't hurt to leave the wires off also. That should make sure the clutch don't engage.

There should also be a pressure switch in the system that prevents the circuit from engaging when the freon level is low.

Quite right, I forgot about that.

Yes, it won't engage unless it knows there is pressure in the system. But I do agree with keeping it unplugged until the system is complete.

Was the replacement compressor needed because of a catastrophic failure of the old one? If so, there may be little bits of metal distributed throughout the system requiring that the whole thing be professionally flushed to preserve the new compressor. This may be more easily done before you install all the new components.

Bill,
The compressor was pulled 'cause the clutch siezed up. System was working fine till that happend. I am replacing all the underhood AC components 'cause I plan on driving the wheels off of it and Murphies law says if I don't, something else downstream of the compressor will crap out. Besides, it looks like someone tried to pressure wash the condenser and folded/crushed about 25% of the fins. At $65, its not worth sitting there for hours with a fin comb. :?

I would like to take a second to again thank everyone who has turned a car from "fix it up and give to the daughter" to "I am keepin it!! Without help from here, I would still be chasing down a miss caused by Bosch plugs, fighting to get the water pump off and cussing the little plastic heater hose nipple that I didn't know was a cheesy part(replaced it before it broke!) and wondering why my AC vents blow hot air (bad air mix controller).