Evaporator coil remove/repair need video

[moretsky99]

Had a fire under the evaporator coil and mulling my options. My air conditioning was not working and will not be missed if I remove it all.
For sure I need to clean out underneath that area as that's where the fire was.
For months I had been hearing a slight rubbing noise when putting on the heater fan, still not sure if this is connected to this issue.

During the fire, I jimmied the plastic around the evaporator coil. That plastic is ruined on the passenger side from melting. I'm still not sure, but might have poked a hole in the coil as well when I was using the only tool available, a crowbar to get at the area to douse with water.

Can anyone point to a video or .... as to my options here including complete removal of the coil and whatever else would have to be removed.

Thanks,
Just looking for a little direction.

 

[SenorNoob]

If the 96 has the same AC/Heater box as earlier trucks, you could try to find one of these:

It's the outside portion of that box. Depending on how much damage there is, I'd probably cut up an old license plate or something to rivet over the holes. (A detergent bottle would probably work fine.)

Post up a couple pictures of what you're working with and we can advise further.

 

[moretsky99]

If the 96 has the same AC/Heater box as earlier trucks, you could try to find one of these:

It's the outside portion of that box. Depending on how much damage there is, I'd probably cut up an old license plate or something to rivet over the holes. (A detergent bottle would probably work fine.)

Post up a couple pictures of what you're working with and we can advise further.

Great timing. Just in from the garage where I was trying to remove the other side of this piece. I decided to just get rid of all the aircon parts. So this part will stay. I already removed the blower, but the dirt or whatever burned was not in the cavity. I think I'll have to remove the evaporator to get at the dirt underneath it. I'm confused about the water to the evaporator. From videos I've watched there's a separate radiator for the aircon. Is there a connect to the main radiator that I need to plug if I remove that aircon radiator? Another question, will I have to get a new belt if I remove the aircon pump or with the tensioner be able to make up the slack?
Thanks for the photo. An inspiration to try my hand at the same. Hope it looks OK. Here's the damage. Fire seemed to come from under the evaporator. I think I damaged the evaporator and so might as well get rid of it as I never use the aircon which didn't work anyhow.