I removed everything AC related in the engine bay and kept the air equipment and heater core under the dash. Many of the parts were missing when I bought the car and it would have cost a mint to put the original system back in. Now I simply close the vent to keep the engine compartment air out. I have looked at purchasing an AC delete plate so that I can use my defroster as Vikki mentioned. Just can't bring myself to pay 169 bucks for it.

If you don't care about retaining the originality of the car, you can always go with the many aftermarket AC systems out there to get AC back in the car. They require a lot less room than the original, and are fairly easy to install from what I've heard.