A/c seized up?

[iturama]

I exported my 97 5l V8 to the UK. Recently noticed smell of burning (clutch?) with smoke coming out from around the pulley. Ordered spares from the US (clutch hub, pulley, coil, belt) since this model not available in the UK.
Thought I would use the vehicle in the meantime with the a/c off. Now the engine wont turn over. Is it possible for the pulley to seize up? What is the part number for the short belt that isolates the a/c pulley?
Thanks,
Jim

 

[kps36]

yep, exactly what happened to mine. Until your parts arrived, go to a parts store and order a serp belt for your model WITHOUT A/C and shortbelt it for now. Mine has been shortbelted for more than a year now until I get time and $$ to rebuild the AC compressor/clutch/bearings.

 

[JMT1SOMR]

i had to do the same thing to my F150.. time for a new clutch... but get the belt that doesnt have AC... i had to take out the whole AC assembly sow the belt wouldnt rub... so check for that... and dont inhald freon... it basically sprayed me in the face and i got so dizzy i throw up and had to lay down fo like an hour...

 

[iturama]

a/c seized up

Thanks folks. Thought I'd give an up-date.
Isolated the a/c and removed the drive belt. Before removing completely I slipped the belt off the a/c pulley, wound it as it would be for a short belt and estimated the difference in length (about 12" less). This because the 5l is not sold here and the autopart dealer would not be able to advise.
Got the new belt. Two ways to loop, under the top idler to the water pump or skip altogether and loop from alternator to water pump direct. Decided to do the last (watch the radiator hoses!- lift a little if necessary).
A/c pulley is seized but vehicle back on the road while I wait the parts. Lets hope it is the clutch and not the compressor.
Thanks again.

 

[kps36]

keep us updated. I too would like to know what I'm getting into. My guess is that I will have to replace the clutch ($150). By doing this I won't have to compromise the system (release any freon). Then take it to a AC guy and have him flush the system a few times w/alcohol and replace the filters a few times. I say this b/c when mine siezed it was driven for another 200+ mi. and when I got to where I could shortbelt it, the entire engine was covered in black thick dust (clutch coating). So I imagine some of this got into the system, thus the cleaning and re-fill..
keep us up on this.
thnx

 

[iturama]

Correction

Will do kps36.
Correction- in my previous mail read 'power steering' pulley instead of 'water pump'.
For the information of others that may need to do the same, my short belt is 2.050 metres long. (Metric in Europe).
An 81" belt should do the trick in the US.

 

[iturama]

Final note

Thought I would give a final update on this thread. A few days ago I finally decided to fix the a/c clutch. Stripped off the old one. Had to jemmy off the bearing - the rest had completely broken up. Cleaned the splined shaftshaft and removed all marks caused by removing the bearing. Fitted the new clutch, ring, shims etc. Checked the gap and started up. nothing. Found the fuse had burnt out. Replaced that. Started up again - everything working after a few years of down time. Will check compressor pressure later - no need for a/c at this time of the year.