Aircon - Asking for advice BEFORE I start this time...

[woz]

So I am about to lift the engine and box out, and since the a/c failed a few years back, I thought it would be a good time to replace any bits that are needed.

Only issue, is how to know which ones are stuffed without having a running engine to test it. So I may have to take things off, and take them in to a specialist for inspection/test on a bench of that is even possible?

Can anyone offer suggestions as to which components are going to be SOOO much easier to do while the engine is out than afterwards, even if I dont get it all working?
I believe therre are bits inside the car which I can do later when the dash comes out, but there must be an evaporator, compressor possibly pressure switch (other sensors??) under the bonnet? Haynes is fairly thin on detail.
Since it hasnt had refrigerant in it for probably 5 years I guess I wont blow the ozone layer up if I simply disconnect it all?? I know this because the last thing that happended was I took it for a re-gas and they refused as it was leaking and they could not even put dye in to trace the leak.

The last question is ... (for now) does that mean the pump will automatically be screwed as it will have done maybe 50-60k without anything to pump?

Any thoughts from anyone who has done this before would be most welcome.

Cheers

Woz

p.s just bought the Haynes Auto aircon manual - so thats bedtime reading for the next week or so... LOL Another ££££ mag as my wife puts it. Bless!