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Old 09-29-2008, 04:16 PM   #1
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1960 33' Custom
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swamp cooler or ac removal tips?

I'm trying to get the swamp cooler off as neatly as possible. I have gutted the box so it should be very light but it seems well and truly stuck down. I've read that goof-off is a good solvent to try and I have some on hand but I'm after some advice on where to slide the glass bar in to break up the "Vulkem". I can't see how I can get the bar at the Vulkem from inside the trailer and going at it from the outside I'm concerned that the sharp tip of the bar will trash the skin.
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Old 09-29-2008, 04:39 PM   #2
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Hey truckasaurus, it's been a while, good to hear from you.

Here's a link to my blog where I removed the old AC unit. I was able to wedge a prybar in under the unit itself and use a 1x4 as a fulcrum, without ever touching the trailer's skin. It was stuck down pretty well, but enough force and it finally pulled free with a large "sucking" sound.

Austin Aluminitus: Out With The Old...

Good luck!

-Marcus
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Old 09-29-2008, 06:01 PM   #3
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Marcus, it was a little nerve wracking but your technique worked perfectly. There was so much vulkem goop up there I thought I'd have to cut it off! I used my truck rather than a ladder for a bit of extra stability carrying the unit off the trailer. Thanks for your help
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Old 09-29-2008, 07:06 PM   #4
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Wow Thats Ugly

I just pulled the AC unit off of our 77 Minuet Saturday. The only goop was a strip of putty tape and 52 screws. Never leaked, we just had no use for it and I put in a second Fantastic Fan in it's place.
I wonder if this was done just for Swamp Coolers or was it an age thing.
I certainly don't envy you the job of cleaning up the mess.
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Old 09-29-2008, 07:16 PM   #5
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I'm certainly glad my trailer is still in the "gutted" state. Getting the second internal collar layer (3/4" thick) of goop off is going to make quite a mess on the trailer floor. Still, I'm so happy that the box is gone goop or no goop it's all good. Now I just need an aluminum baking tray the right size and I can seal her up for winter! (a technique one of the PO's pioneered on another of my trailers vents!).
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Old 09-29-2008, 07:20 PM   #6
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Fantastic, glad it went so well. Yeah, it made me nervous too. The 1x4 did a good job of distributing the weight, but it still depressed the skin somewhat when I was really cranking down on the prybar. Still, no permanent damage.

Took me close to an hour with MEK solvent and a plastic putty knife to get all of the old sealant off, but then I polished it up with some cotton rags and Diamond Brite, and it made a really nice seal for the replacement unit.

In your climate, are you planning on a replacement AC, or just another fan?

(Or, the permanent addition of a baking pan?? )
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Old 09-29-2008, 07:42 PM   #7
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The permanent baking pan is tempting (and certainly low $). I'm planning on fantastic fans but may try something else for the larger aperture up front. In my Airstream dream I'll be traveling all over North America so AC and some heat will be catered for just not on the roof. I like the smooth shape of the trailer too much to pop another box up top so may go with a floor mounted unit instead.
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