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Serpentine belt question (bypass a/c compressor)

2K views 10 replies 4 participants last post by  bogateer 
#1 ·
Does anyone know if a serpentine accessory belt for a non-a/c Escort ('91 LX w/ 1.9L) WITH power steering will fit/work on an Escort WITH a/c? Even if it means removing the compressor as that's my goal. The a/c hasn't worked in over ten years and all the stuff just gets in the way of doing anything else...so I'd like to remove it all. Plus I live in a place where it's cold enough that I can survive the warmer month w/o a/c. I've heard of "bypass pulleys" for the GT and I know there are a selection of belts on eBay for the 1.9L with and without various combinations of a/c and power steering. Before I buy one to try it out I'm just seeing if someone actually knows. I don't know if there's that much of a difference between a/c and non-a/c cars (if any difference at all other than one having a/c and the other not)...I'm kind of assuming a 1991 was of the era when it was a dealer-installed option anyhow (but perhaps not?).

Thanks!
 
#2 · (Edited)
I dont know the layout of the GT a.c compressor, but if its the same model of compressor, i would think the bypass compressor pulley would work on a GT. Its just an aluminum bracket that mounts using 3 of the 4 holes where the compressor itself would mount. You might try looking for the a.c. compressors at rockauto(dot)com, and see if they show a different unit for the GT, versus the LX.
I have 5 Escorts, none of which had working a.c. anymore. On 3 of them I have replaced the a.c. compressor with the bypass pulley, and deleted the hoses between the compressor, condenser, and the evaporator. The extra room underhood was welcome. At some point after winning the lottery, I may add back the a.c. system. My main reason for deleting the compressors was to eliminate the bearing inside the compressor pulley. That bearing is non-greaseable, and being 23 to 26 years old on my 91-thru-94 Escorts, I just wanted it off the car for reliability. It turned out to be a fair amount of hassle to remove the pulley from a compressor and get a new bearing pressed in. I might have done that, but I dont have a press yet, and you have to be sort of careful with the pulley, or it gets out of balance.

I am fairly sure the a.c. system was factory installed as of 1991.

I am 73, so grew up without a.c. in cars, and still dont consider it vital. And yes, I have crossed AZ, NM, NV, and deserts in northern Mexico in summers.
 
#3 ·
Outstanding. Thank you so much.

Can I ask where you obtained the bypass pulleys for your LXs? The only reason I mentioned the GT was because that's the only place I'd seen mention of it and I think I'd even seen one or three...probably on eBay. I presume it's for people racing them. I've never seen one for the LX and have only seen mention of a plastic aftermarket one I think here somewhere (an old thread).

I want to remove the a/c compressor for ALL the reasons you list. Plus the stuff just seems to get in the way of doing anything on the LX.

I may just end up buying the non-a/c belt to see if it fits. I may have to take off the compressor for it to work but that's the end goal anyhow. If I can get a bypass pulley of acceptable quality that would be fine too as then I know I can get belts. If I take off the compressor only to find the non-a/c belt doesn't fit then I have to put the dang thing back on and it doesn't solve the non-greasable 26 year-old bearing issue.

If I do end up trying the non-a/c belt I'll post the results.

Thanks for your help.

PS I lived in Vegas for 4 years and the a/c in my '85 Mustang GT didn't work then. I lived in Washington DC (HUMID!!!) for 11 years and the a/c in my Escorts never worked there. A/C to me is just extra uneeded weight that doesn't work, is expensive to fix and those repairs never last long, and the added hoses and other accoutrements just get in the way of anything you want to do. On my Jeep I have to unbolt the compressor just to change the #1 spark plug. PITA.
 
#5 ·
I ordered new pulleys from rockauto(dot)com for the tensioner and the idler; as well as the compressor bypass pulley. I still have the old compressors I took off, and would like to get new bearings into them. The bypass pulley is plastic, and I expect it will be fine for a few years, but maybe not a long term solution. The ball bearing for the compressor pulley is more than twice the size of the one I see in the plastic bypass pulley. I pretty much intend to replace the pulleys each time I replace a serpentine belt,& and at least each ten years.

Serpentine belts are made in about every length there is, but the auto parts places wont have a listing by application; you will have to tell them the length. And the belt makers dont always use the same doctrine for describing their belt length.

In a JY I once saw an LX with just the compressor missing from a standard LX access bracket. It had a serpentine belt on it, but the belt had apparently interfered with the side of the accessory bracket slightly. There was a groove worn into the side of the acces. bracket where the serp belt ran past. Due to the fire ants in that JY, I didnt spend a lot of time looking it over.
 
#6 ·
Thanks. I think what I'm gonna do is order a couple of belts...one for a/c and one without...they're not that expensive. That way even if the bypass pulley works out I've got a belt for it even if it craps out. I found the bypass pulleys on eBay...for some reason they're not listed for 1991...but start at 1992 (through '96 for the Escort). I'll take a look on RockAuto to see what the options they have for bypass pulleys.

Thanks for your help.
 
#8 ·
A few years ago I have an overheating problem and wanted reduce the drag on the engine so I eliminated the A/C unit and changed the serpentine belt two or three times like zzyzzx said. Just keep taking it back to end with a 480 belt. The over heating ended up being the radiator. Three quarters blocked.
 
#9 ·
Thanks. It IS the Dorman pulley. What I'll probably do is buy one for temporary use as you suggest in case the a/c pulley seizes. I'm still going to try to find a belt that fits without the a/c....not sure if this is possible (usually I see these listed as "non a/c w/o power steering) but I did see one advertised (as w/o a/c but WITH p/s)...I'm not sure I believe it nor if it'll even fit but I'm going to buy it as an experiment. If I can get rid of the compressor that's the ultimate goal. Your suggestion to source belts locally is a good one though as I bought one online that was spec'd for the LX and it was slightly too long. It's not like I use THAT many belts that the online savings is worth it especially when it doesn't fit.
 
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