More A/C Clutch questions.

[AlaskanJack]

Yesterday I drove my wifes explorer into town and left it running so boys could keep playing their Playstation game. I spent about 15-20 minutes in local 4x4 shop and when I came out the truck was smelling like something was burning. I ran over to my buddies house and we checked out the engine compartment.

The a/c clutch was discolored kinda rusty red. We checked it and the pulley was moving but when clutch kicked in the clutch didn't spin.

After pulling the clutch off we discovered that the sealed bearings in the pulley were no longer sealed and some were missing. The electromagnetic peice had a foamy like build up on it which was solid. Reminded me of spray foam. Now my question is Ford sells all 3 parts seperate and all the auto parts stores sell the clutch as a complete unit. I need a temporary quick fix. Would it hurt me any to just replace my pulley and bearing set if I don't use the A/C. I just need it to work for a week.

I took my a/c clutch off my trail rig to put on my wife's then I was just going to get a shorter serpentine belt for mine and not run the air. But to my surprise my 91 didn't have the same belt adjuster as her 94 had. So my belt was actually shorter than hers.

What I am planning on doing is putting my ac clutch on hers and then go buy the pulley w/bearings and mount it on my rig so I can get my serpentine belt on. I will disconnect the low pressure switch and the plug on top of the compressor for safe measure.

Here are some pics. You can also click on my gallery to see all the pics

 

[Glacier991]

Ford made 2 compressors for 96% of their light truck applications... the FS-10 and later the fx-15 (orwas it fx10 and fs-15? anyway)... I have never compared clutches, but I imagine they are interchangeable. I suspect the replaced/swapped clutch would run the AC just fine... but if you want to disconnect the cutout connector, the AC obviously won't run and you will be using the AC snout as a bearing holder, if you will. I see no troubles that are obvoius to my mind with what you propose. If you plan to run the AC be sure and set the gap correctly.... THAT may differ in how it goes together on different compressors.

Happy Exploring

Chris

 

[AlaskanJack]

And what gap are you referring to. I just did the swap and the only thing I couldn't swap directly was the outer most clutch that goes in and out. The splines didn't match up. It is making a little noise when running but it just needs to work for a few days until I can get the correct parts.

 

[Glacier991]

that "outermost" clutch plate and the main body have a small air gap between them. You adjust it using shims when it is put together. Generally it doesn't need fooling with though. If you are trying for "a fwe days" you should be fine, esp if you don't run the air.

Happy Exploring

Chris

 

[dogfriend]

Youre lucky youre in Alaska, Jack.

A/C is not an option where we live

 

[AlaskanJack]

Its not a necessity here but it is for the serpentine belt to function. Plus my wife like to run her ac from time to time

 

[dogfriend]

Forcast High Temp is 100 F today for Sac, CA

 

[AlaskanJack]

Originally posted by dogfriend
Forcast High Temp is 100 F today for Sac, CA

52 F here today low 40's by end of week

 

[izackary]

Jeez! why can't anyone have SIMPLE problems???

 

[AlaskanJack]

Originally posted by izackary
Jeez! why can't anyone have SIMPLE problems???

Wow I thought this was a rather simple problem

 

[izackary]

I guess I'd hate to have what you think is a complicated one.

 

[AlaskanJack]

complicated one how about an A4LD tranny rebuild.

 

[Glacier991]

Jack... removing an AC clutch is not rocket science, but few have the tools or inclination - so for those if no other reasons this case gets a techie rating of 7.5 in my book. (E.g. ya done good guy).

Happy and smooth serpentine Exploring

Chris

 

[Glacier991]

A4LD rebuild gets ya an 8.5. Upgrade it to current standards (93 upgrades and other aftermarket ones) and you get a 9.5! <g>

 

[AlaskanJack]

Originally posted by Glacier991
A4LD rebuild gets ya an 8.5. Upgrade it to current standards (93 upgrades and other aftermarket ones) and you get a 9.5! <g>

Really well I thought it was rather easy and it requiored no special tools. Took less than 15 minutes to put new one on and about same to get old one off.

7.5 is really shocking I would rate it a 1 and A4LD rebuild a 9.5. The manual t-case conversion I just did was about a 3.5, and the radius arm replacement was at least a 4 due to fighting removing bolts and then fighting to get bolts back in and lined up. My dual front shock install was a 1.5