AC option 2 (Warning: pics)

[flyboy2610]

This is my second option regarding how to mount the AC setup in the engine compartment.
This option makes use of the fourth groove in the crankshaft pulley, and results in a dedicated AC drive belt.
I'm not sure where the bracket came from, but I suspect it was off of a car 390, as it was given to me by the PO of the F100 i bought back in '01. The F100 had a car 390 in it.

A side view of how the system looks.


This is how the bracket mounts to the engine.


This is how the bracket mounts at the alternator.


A pic of the compressor brace at the top of the compressor.


A pic of the brace at the exhaust manifold. Notice it has to mount using one of the manifold bolts.


A top view showing how the belts line up.


A file photo from this site. Someone else used this set up, and you can see how the belts are routed.


I have two compressors, one of which has a single pulley, and the other has a double pulley. The outer groove on the double pulley is the same distance from the compressor body as the groove on the single pulley is, so I could swap pulleys and not have an empty groove on the compressor. The compressor would be at a slight angle off vertical, though. But that shouldn't cause a problem.
This setup would allow a dedicated belt, and it wouldn't put such a load on the PS pump bearings. I'm pretty sure it isn't stock for a truck, though.

So: what do you all think? Any opinions on which setup i should go with?

[heep70]

How does it take up slack in the belt?

[spartman]

Thats what the idler pulley is for.

You can see it on the bracket above the water pump.

[heep70]

Ah yes said the blind man.

[flyboy2610]

I think this is the setup I'm leaning toward using. I like the idea of having a belt just for the AC, and I won't have to be worried about overloading the PS pump bearing.
I read something somewhere about York compressors having a sump in the bottom to lube the rod journals and wrist pins. If that's so, wouldn't laying the compressor on its side tend to result in oil starvation to those areas?
I think having the compressor on its side would result in a little 'cleaner' look to the engine compartment, but I won't do it if it's not good for the compressor.

[Hawkrod]

Those AC brackets are aftermarket. None of the original Ford ones were built that way for these engines. Also note that Ford never made a 4 groove crank pulley so it is likely a stock pulley with an aftermarket AC opulley bolted on as well. The stock AC unit mounts so that the front groove on the stock pulley operates the AC and when you have AC you have a different PS pulley so the PS belt goes around the water pump and crank instead of around the front groove and the alternator would only have one belt. The pulley and belt combo's were entirely different between AC and non AC vehicles. Hawkrod

[binder56jd]

fb--can't add to the pulley issue, but regarding laying the york on it's side--100,000 ihc's couldn't be totally wrong

[flyboy2610]

Thanks for that info, Hawkrod.
I have a suspicion that at one time this truck had an AC unit on it (but not factory AC), as there are also two holes in the firewall directly line with the point where the compressor head would be, and both of these holes have rubber grommets in them, such as you would expect to be there to protect AC hoses.
I was looking at the Old Air Products website, and they have, as part of a bracket kit, a pulley that mounts to the front of the crankshaft 'stack', so what you said makes sense.
I think I'll go with this setup, then.
Thanks again for all your input!

[flyboy2610]

fb--can't add to the pulley issue, but regarding laying the york on it's side--100,000 ihc's couldn't be totally wrong

I guess that's true!

[SteveC]

my 67 uses that set up as well
http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u223 ... 010119.jpg

mine is unhooked right now but the unsed spot on mine is for the no existent power steering

[70_F100]

Laying the compressor on its side is not a problem. They were designed to mount either way.

Be sure and check the oil level in the compressor (very critical!!!). With it mounted vertically, the oil level should be about 1.25", and horizontally, about 1".

To check the level, the system has to be discharged. Take out the bolt on either side of the compressor (about 2/3 of the way down from the top). You can either buy a dipstick from an auto parts house, or fab your own from a coat hanger (or similar material). Put a gentle curve in it so that it can get around the compressor crankshaft.