AC Clutches

[live4theking]

Ok, this is just crazy. Sometime back I was working on the 68 NYer. I had the hood up with the engine running and I noticed that the clutch was grabbing a little bit. So I went to the shed and grab a spare compressor. I pulled the clutches off of both compressors and compared them. The one off of the spare looked nicer so I put it on. Tonight it froze and broke both belts on my way home from work.

I had looked previously and couldn't find anyone that sold just the clutches. I looked again tonight, quickly mind you, all I'm finding is compressors without clutches. I found this one on ebay.

What gives? Is this really the case?

 

[live4theking]

I must admit that Summit is not the first place that I would've went looking for this clutch. I would've thought that Rock Auto would've listed them.

 

[live4theking]

Well, once you have a manufacturer's part number they can be found. Autozone

 

[65sporty]

The bearing in the clutch pulley froze up?

 

[commando1]

It says in the FSM, that the R&R of the clutch must use a new bearing.

 

[saforwardlook]

Why do you think the compressor didn't fail if the belts were thrown?

 

[live4theking]

I haven't got to fully investigate, I'm going to do that now before my father gets here. He's home visiting and I was hoping to take him for a ride before he goes back to TX. He's 86 this might be my only chance.

 

[live4theking]

I pulled the compressor off the car just as my Dad got here this morning to visit. I pulled the clutch off of it tonight and confirmed that it's the compressor not the clutch. I got a compressor out of the shed that moves free this evening. Tomorrow at work I'll blast and paint the brackets then reinstall the mess on Friday night hopefully.

Anyway, at least we know some sources for clutches and compressors that's less expensive than I had seen previously.

 

[saforwardlook]

I pulled the compressor off the car just as my Dad got here this morning to visit. I pulled the clutch off of it tonight and confirmed that it's the compressor not the clutch. I got a compressor out of the shed that moves free this evening. Tomorrow at work I'll blast and paint the brackets then reinstall the mess on Friday night hopefully.

Anyway, at least we know some sources for clutches and compressors that's less expensive than I had seen previously.

The reason I wrote my post above is that a clutch is incapable by itself of throwing the belts - all the clutch does is engage the compressor or not. The compressor itself has to seize up to make the belts fly off, and the clutch either has to commanded on and engaged (or stuck on somehow) for belts to be thrown as well if you think about it.

 

[live4theking]

The bearing in the clutch pulley froze up?

The reason I wrote my post above is that a clutch is incapable by itself of throwing the belts - all the clutch does is engage the compressor or not. The compressor itself has to seize up to make the belts fly off, and the clutch either has to commanded on and engaged (or stuck on somehow) for belts to be thrown as well if you think about it.

Ok, so here's some more of the story. When I got to work Tuesday morning I smelled a hint of something hot. When I put the hood up I saw a whisp of smoke from the AC Clutch. Before I left for home I unplugged the clutch. About twenty minutes into the drive I heard a loud squeal for about 5 seconds. This is when it threw the belts.

So, the clutch was disconnected when this happened. Is it safe to say that the clutch bearing went which engaged the compressor which then caused the compressor to fail?

 

[65sporty]

I usually see one or the other, the bearing bad or compressor set up. The bearing bad will cause the pulley to be loose and can throw your belt. With the compressor set up it's usually not a problem unless the clutch tries to engage than it will smoke the belt.

 

[twostick]

Make sure you check the oil level in the compressor. If you didn't check the other one, that's probably why it seized. No oil, go boom.

If the idler bearing in the clutch seizes it will make short work of the belts also.

Kevin

 

[live4theking]

I'm pretty sure that both the clutch and the compressor that were on the car Tuesday are both toast now. After about 3/4 of a revolution the the compressor goes clunk and won't move any further and the pulley won't spin either. If I put the other clutch on this compressor the pulley spins, but with a little bit of drag.

The other compressor rotates fine.

What kind of oil do you put in the compressor? I don't plan on fixing the AC for another year or so. In PA even mid summer is bearable without AC.

 

[twostick]

A/C compressor oil. I'd use PAG so if you ever want to resurrect it, you're all set for R134.

Kevin

 

[live4theking]

Well I stopped at the local NAPA to try to buy some oil. All that they seemed to have was the small cans to recharge your system. Ugh... I'm going to call the local AC shop on Monday.

 

[commando1]

You need about 11 ounces. . .

 

[live4theking]

You need about 11 ounces. . .

Thanks, I'm going to order a new clutch from Summit tonight. Plus belts and some other items probably from RA. It's going to be about two weeks before I get the clutch.

 

[cantflip]

Thanks, I'm going to order a new clutch from Summit tonight. Plus belts and some other items probably from RA. It's going to be about two weeks before I get the clutch.

I am sorry I didn't see this thread during the week...

Do not install the good compressor, or if you have don't leave it connected to the lines. If the old compressor has locked up you likely have metal throughout the system. If you find no metal debris, you should install a filter before the compressor on the low pressure (large diameter hose) side just before the compressor is preferred. If there is metal, you will basically need to clean or replace everything and then go with the filter.

There are 2 schools on the filter, one is to charge and run it temporarily. The other is keep one in the line. If the line gets cold at the filter it is restricting and needs replaced, but also saved your compressor from some debris. I have subscribed to the leave a filter side of this... but if you don't monitor and replace the filter as necessary, you will cause compressor failure that way too.

I can get into more details if you need them... good luck with the ac.

To drive temporarily without ac... all you need is the pulley installed.

All I found available with a warranty was reman compressors and reman clutch kits, but they are available. Follow the WSM to remove/install the clutch plate or you will ruin it.

 

[live4theking]

I am sorry I didn't see this thread during the week...

Do not install the good compressor, or if you have don't leave it connected to the lines. If the old compressor has locked up you likely have metal throughout the system. If you find no metal debris, you should install a filter before the compressor on the low pressure (large diameter hose) side just before the compressor is preferred. If there is metal, you will basically need to clean or replace everything and then go with the filter.

There are 2 schools on the filter, one is to charge and run it temporarily. The other is keep one in the line. If the line gets cold at the filter it is restricting and needs replaced, but also saved your compressor from some debris. I have subscribed to the leave a filter side of this... but if you don't monitor and replace the filter as necessary, you will cause compressor failure that way too.

I can get into more details if you need them... good luck with the ac.

To drive temporarily without ac... all you need is the pulley installed.

All I found available with a warranty was reman compressors and reman clutch kits, but they are available. Follow the WSM to remove/install the clutch plate or you will ruin it.

Thanks Jeff!

 

[live4theking]

I spoke with my wifes cousin who works the commercial side of Autozone today. I posted a linnk to the Everco offered by AZ and the Four Seasons offered by Summit. Guess what, they are both from Four Seasons according to him.