I am restoring my under dash components. I wanted to have my air conditioning evaporator tested and to clean the vermin out of it, but there is a thin rod that goes through the plenum and in to the evaporator that is preventing me from taking the evaporator loose. Can it be removed?
Also, if it’s pressure tight, can I use it with modern refrigerants?
That thin rod is thermostatic switch (icing switch) and it just slips into the fins of the evaporator. When the evaporator gets to cold it will open the magnetic circuit to the compressor. It will usually fit quite snug, but just pulls out. As far as using with modern refrigerant, I believe they can as long as they are flushed of any of the oil used with the R12.
Thanks! I’ll give it a try
Yes that probe wire is just set in there. I would check out the WCCC heater core video as I believe it comments on the AC components as well.
I went through and cleaned up my air box a while back. So I will shamelessly point you to that thread. 
https://cccforum.discoursehosting.net/t/68-ac-heater-box-restore-mods/12408/1
I comment on the pressure check of the evaporator. To date only the heater core is hooked up. Heat works well. I have only a long term plan of making the AC work again so haven’t done much research on it.
Enjoy the project!
Thanks for the link, your project looks great!