Confused with a/c removal - belt and pullies

[Slim]

Okay, time for me to ask for help on this one.

I recently discovered that my a/c system needs repair and have decided I don't want to spend the money doing so. I have removed most of the system, including the a/c compressor this past weekend. I had ordered a belt (Goodyear Gatorback 4060872 as per the local PartSource info), removed the compressor and was done ..... or so I thought. According to what I had read I only needed to remove the compressor and the rest of the engine (ie pullies) should be the same comparing a/c to non-a/c. No, not exactly .....

Today the belt has been slipping, squealing horribly for a brief moment during start up. I didn't know this at first and assumed it was a bad pulley (suspected from before). I went to the same place and got a replacement idler pulley (idler, NOT tensioner) and when I went to install it I got my "tip" - the idler pulley on the truck is the wrong one! The one on the truck is 3.5" diameter, the one I got new is only 3" diameter.

After more research I have confirmed that the idler and tensioner pulleys should be the same 3" diameter, which is obviously not what I have on my truck. So now i'm trying to find out what is the difference in various pullies between a/c and non-a/c engines. Anyone know???? I want that compressor out (for my own reasons - let's not hang on this topic please).

I think my only recourse at this point is to take back the un-needed tensioner pulley and just measure what size belt I actually need.

I'd really like to know what the deal is with regards to the rest of the pulleys - I don't want anymore EXPENSIVE SURPRISES like this later on - I have a $50 useless belt in my possession right not that i'm not pleased about one bit.

Please help. Thanks!

 

[McCormack]

After more research I have confirmed that the idler and tensioner pulleys should be the same 3" diameter....

Ford used a mish-mash of parts from model year to model year, so use whatever combination of pulleys that make your belt fit properly - you might just have to go with two 3.5's in order to make it work. My '00 came from the factory with a 3.0 and a 3.5, and because my belt was way too tight and was pulling the tensioner out of alignment I dropped the 3.5 down to a 3.0 and now the belt fits perfectly.

 

[Slim]

Ford used a mish-mash of parts from model year to model year, so use whatever combination of pulleys that make your belt fit properly - you might just have to go with two 3.5's in order to make it work. My '00 came from the factory with a 3.0 and a 3.5, and because my belt was way too tight and was pulling the tensioner out of alignment I dropped the 3.5 down to a 3.0 and now the belt fits perfectly.

**** me. Now it's worse! I just looked at the belt that I pulled off the truck. It's a Motorcraft 891. That's what it's supposed to be (with a/c). So how does this make any sense if both of those pulleys are "supposed to be" 3.0" and mine aren't?!?!?! Dammit Ford! Wtf man!

I'll try a double 3.5" pulley set up and see what happens. At least that won't cost me anymore money at this point.

Now I need a p/n!

 

[McCormack]

I feel your pain! In case you didn't know the idler and tensioner pulleys are interchangeable, so you can swap them back and forth if need be.

 

[Slim]

Fixed. The final set up, THANKS TO MY WICKED *** FORD PARTS GUY, is the appropriate Motorcraft 861 belt with a 3.0" (76 mm) idler pulley. No more squealing sound of belt slippage when I start her up anymore and no more a/c stuff.

I'm a happy camper. Thanks guys.

Also ordered a new 4x4 valence which should be in next week, since PartSource was hopeless in this regard also.

Now I get to argue with PS about them taking back this belt, which they sold me the wrong one.

 

[DeanMLFlame]

this seems like the best place to ask...How can I, and I mean "I",remove my compressor...not blowing cold air, it's never hot enough to use it and the compressor is whinning...!

 

[Slim]

this seems like the best place to ask...How can I, and I mean "I",remove my compressor...not blowing cold air, it's never hot enough to use it and the compressor is whinning...!

You remove the compressor from the bracket by removing the 4 bolts that hold it on and replace the stock belt with a shorter one.

Are you looking for more than that or ..... ?

 

[creepinjeepster]

If you are removing it completely, You'll also have to remove the refridgerant lines and the power plug to the compressor. Would also go ahead and pull the fuse/relay to the A/C too.

(NOTE: System should be evacuated of refridgerant BEFORE disconnecting the lines. According to EPA regulations, it is against the law to vent these gasses into the atmosphere. Finable up to $10,000, if caught. I am a certified MVAC tech and no I didn't see you do any of this.)