okay...so now

[tery]

It turns out that someone put on an air compressor bypass kit that doesn't quite fit right. That's why the serp belt was kinda torn up. Has anyone had experience with using one of those bypass kits? Is it a reasonable fix to use when you can't/ don't want to replace the compressor? I guess what I'm asking is...should the correct kit work properly and be able to line up right so the belt path is good? Seems the one on there either isn't the right one or isn't put on right or maybe is missing a shim or something cause the path isn't right with the new belt...yet!!
T

 

[TimboSHO]

I don't think they make a proper a/c bypass kit for this car. The a/c compressor is a structural component of the front motor mount bracket, and that bracket WILL break if you don't have a compressor there, or a bracket to reinforce the motor mount bracket.

The best way to bypass would be to find a shorter belt (measure it with string to find the right size). I don't recall the size I used on my old 89, but it worked just fine and I never had any problems with the belt.

 

[shomike220]

I hate to even admit this but I has a sho in high school
10 years ago and the ac went out and I needed a quick cheap fix. I dident even know what went wrong but there was no charge in the system. I hacked the ac compressor pulley/snout of the compressor off with a long air chisel and ran a shorter belt. There I said it, it was along time ago and seemed like a good idea at the time. Rip that car it started my obsession.

 

[tery]

So...thank you, a shorter belt can work fine, that's great news, I also thought of the idea of just getting a yard compressor that spins fine but has electrical problems, not hook up the connector, and just let it be a fat pulley...
I like your sense of humor!!

 

[jayro]

If you dont need AC, just get a junk compressor. Take it apart and gut everything out of it. then reinstall just the case. This is what I run. Just use a strink to measure the belt you need and then go to an auto parts store and tell them.

You can fab up a bracket to put in place of the AC compressor, but I'm too lazy for that.

 

[tery]

Thanks for your ideas and feedback jayro,
T

 

[tery]

Can I use an old compressor from a regular taurus from that vintage?

 

[TimboSHO]

I'm pretty sure a regular Taurus a/c compressor will NOT bolt up.

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

It will not bolt up. Do as jayro says. The A/C compressor is a structural part of the front motor mount bracket assembly. If it's not bolted in it will just snap motor mount brackets.

What i did, i had the compressor gutted and the clutch removed. Had the compressor flipped around 180 degrees. Just use a shorter belt.

 

[tery]

So...to be clear Shadetree..I can't just use a shorter belt with no compressor or pulley at all, but have to have something there for the belt to route through/around??

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

If you flip the compressor around there will be nothing in the way. And the way the belt routes there is no need for an idler where the compressor used to be.

 

[tery]

The car at this point has no compressor at all, someone removed it and put in a kit that evidently doesn't quite fit right, that's why the serp belt looks kinda torn up...so no need for a compressor or pulley or etc, Just run the belt around everything else??

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

Yes, i said you need the compressor bolted up, its' part of the structural integrity of the motor mount bracket. Just tear off the clutch and flip it 180 degrees.

then get a shorter belt. Problem solved.

If you do not do this. you will break the bracket.

 

[tery]

thanks very much,
I'll let you know how it goes,
Terry

 

[tery]

Hi, So, back from the shop, Rear brakes, rotors calipers and brake lines and fluid flush are done...at this point they just left on the old belt because I want to see if I can get the old compressor from the seller of the car, otherwise..when it gets a tad warmer..I'll either just route the belt without that pulley and leave it in place as part of the structural support of the motor mount, or get a yard and and gut it, as suggested and use that. I guess what I'm still not clear about and have question is...Can a belt be routed around the alternator the crank pulley the water pump and the power steering pump the tensioner and not around the ac compressor and still function properly...leaving the compressor in place but not spun/routed in line with the serp belt?? Any thoughts...experiences ...I think I understand the answer is yes, but...Shade tree?? if you tear off the clutch and the pulley, why even flip it 180??

Thanks in advance,//Today is THursday, the cancelled our schools here in Rochester for this coming Monday because the prediction is for a low of -21. Fuel doesn't vaporize well at that temp I understand and say bye your battery if it isn't real healthy,

Terry

 

[rubydist]

there is no need to gut the a/c compressor. The pulley spins on its own bearing, so that unless the clutch is engaged, only the pulley is turning. Only when the clutch is engaged is anything inside spinning.

I have had the pulley bearing lock up on one, so its possible that the a/c compressor was removed because the pulley locked up - in that case it is of no value to you.

 

[tery]

Thank you Ruby...So, really, I can use any spinning SHO compressor, bad seals, no clutch, who cares, as long as the pulley bearings are good.just don't plug it in....
I'll bet I can find one. I'm going to start looking as soon as we get out of the deep freeze. The governor has cancelled all schools for minnesota on Monday because of predicted 20 to possibly 50 below up north.
OUCH,
T