A/C System bypass pulley?

[Arenn McD98MercRunner]

So I've had a couple Friends in the past couple of weeks tell me I should look into getting a bypass pulley for my a/c system since my a/c doesn't work already.... I looked them up supposedly it allows u to use your stock belt and remove the whole a/c pump and everything... I know that should free up a lil horsepower also! I have the 5.0 in 98 merc 2wd mounty

So I'm curious about those of you that have already done this mod, was it straight forward and as advertised? Or did u encounter issues when installing it? The pulley line up with all the rest? Notice any improvement on mpg or power??? Any info and advice is mucho appreciated!

 

[swshawaii]

Which engine? Belt alignment issues reported with Dorman A/C bypass pulleys. Most had better results using a shorter belt. GL

4.0L SOHC
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...queal-at-startup-stumped.446346/#post-3541357

5.0L OHV
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/ac-compressor-pulley.453699/#post-3579183

 

[A. cloud]

Which engine? Belt alignment issues reported with Dorman A/C bypass pulleys. Most had better results using a shorter belt. GL

4.0L SOHC
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...queal-at-startup-stumped.446346/#post-3541357

5.0L OHV
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/ac-compressor-pulley.453699/#post-35791

I have the ohv and put the Dorman on and no problems yet. It just seems awful cheaply made for the price. I payed around $50 2 years ago and got a plastic pulley. Pretty lame if you ask me. But it works. Didn't gain a big boost in power or Mpg's. Maybe .5 mile or 1 mile max. I mean if your not gonna rebuild the A/c then it's worth it. I did it mainly because spark plugs on the passenger side are a major PITA with all the Ac lines. So that was the final straw. Didn't need a/c anyway.

 

[SWIGIN]

The AC compressor pulley spins freely when not in use so you won't gain anything with an idler since that's what it is already.

What you will gain is a cleaner looking engine and more room to work on stuff with the AC out, That's it.

 

[Arenn McD98MercRunner]

The AC compressor pulley spins freely when not in use so you won't gain anything with an idler since that's what it is already.

What you will gain is a cleaner looking engine and more room to work on stuff with the AC out, That's it.

Ya that's what I was thinking.... But after doing this conversion yesterday, it's amazing the amount of room it freed up... Also has made it far easier now to address a couple other lil things that have been bugging me for awhile now! The only thing I wasn't to happy or impressed with is the pulley being plastic, and also not having washers included in the kit! The heads on the bolts are barely big enuff to hold the bracket on without just sliding right over the bolts.... So ended up buying some washers, and also think I'm gonna have my buddy cut out an aluminum pully with his CNC machine to get rid of the ghetto plastic 1!

Overall tho, for the whole thing costing less then $35 I'm pretty happy with it! I've had plans of converting my a/c compressor to run OBA so with this I can retrofit my compressor at my own time outside of the vehicle and once I finish can just throw it back on, never having to worry about getting a new different size belt!!!