bypassing the AC

[bremen242]

I did a search with no luck.. I wanna ditch the AC pump, b/c the clutch is going out.. can I get a shorter belt, or is there an idler pully or something I can use?

[bszopi]

Just unplug the clutch. My clutch froze up over a year ago, but never had the urge to replace it. So I just unplugged the clutch plug and its been fine. It basically acts like an idler anyway with the clutch not engaged, so why go through the hassle of trying to rig something up?

[DEI37]

If you want a shorter belt, to remove the A/C compressor, get a belt for a 1987/8 Olds Cutlass Ciera with a 2.8, W/O air. that belt has worked for me before.

[bremen242]

If you want a shorter belt, to remove the A/C compressor, get a belt for a 1987/8 Olds Cutlass Ciera with a 2.8, W/O air. that belt has worked for me before.

DEI37- did you have any trouble with rerouting the belt? my ga sucks when it comes to the belt system. btw, does you water pump have a smooth pulley or a ribbed one?

brad- my clutch is self-destructing itself. when the compressor is disengaged, the clutch makes a horrible shredding/grinding noise, and splits out metal shavings.. and I don't want to spend $400 for a new compressor+evacuating the feon and killing myself to swap pumps.

(or spend $200 for a new clutch, do all that and then have the compressor go bad)

[bszopi]

Hmm... interesting. My clutch just won't engage. When it did, it would make the car shake like the engine was out of balance. But when it wasn't being used it was fine. So, I just unplugged it and haven't had any issues since.

[RacerX11]

I have worked on a GM AC compressor where the clutch bearing failed, and wouldn't disengage....the bearings basically siezed up. This is probably what is happening to yours. Shortly after that, the compressor siezed up internally (from lack of liubrication), and locked the pulley solid....ran about 5 miles before the belt melted and broke. You might be able to replace just the clutch bearing, but I would still go the route of bypassing the whole thing.

Marty

[DEI37]

It actually wasn't my car...but I do know that it did work. It was a recommendation to a friend...for his girlfriends' car. It was a hunch then, but he said it worked. I don't know what the belt routing would be.

[bremen242]

was is a grand am or what it some other 3100 powered car? sorry to keep asking questions ..

[DEI37]

It was a Buick Skylark, unsure of the year. It's an N-Body (?), the same as a Grand Am.