A/C Compressor Clutch

[ammachine390]

So I think the bearing in my compressor clutch pulley may have gone bad. On all the parts websites, they list compressor clutches available, but they are all listed as single groove, but mine has a double groove, since the alternator belt connects to the compressor pulley. Anyone know where to get a double groove clutch? This is for the York style compressor. Thanks

Here's a couple pics of the compressor pulley/clutch

[rollguy]

You may be better off changing out the entire compressor to a Sanden style.  I have never seen a compressor clutch with two different size pulleys before.  However, York style compressor clutches with two belt grooves the same size are quite common.  You will need to change the belt size if a Sanden is used (or replacement two groove clutch), and an adapter bracket will be needed (about $40).  I sell a lot of Sanden style compressors with mounting bracket kits I make to retrofit a Sanden compressor on Mercedes Benz Diesel engines to replace the worthless GM R4 compressor.  You may also find that a replacement clutch for the York may be the same cost as a new Sanden. The Sanden is much better than the York by far, and worth the effort to retrofit.  The Sanden will also work better if you have converted to 134a.....Rich

[carnuck]

The bearing is separate on the pulley and not hard to change if you have a small press. I did it on the side of the road with a pair of C clamps. IIRC, the bearing was a 6202-2rs (j is optional) but it's been awhile.

http://youtu.be/Zn9N5sypuME

[IowaEagle]

If you can go with a Sanden.  Then you will not have to worry about putting oil in the York's separate oil reservoir.   Take it from someone who forgot.  Anybody want a York with a rod thru the side?

[ammachine390]

I really don't want to have to convert to a new compressor, just because I do not use the air that much, but it does work. Procedure for changing the entire clutch seems really straightforward too, so just my luck that I cannot find a replacement. I called up an old Jeep dealer, and he had a double groove clutch assembly from a Jeep, but the two pulley sizes were the same size. I think that might actually work though. He had 2 of them though, and and they were different, the inner part hard different sizes for different sized magnetic coils. I didn't have mine apart, and didn't know if either of them would fit.

The bearing is separate on the pulley and not hard to change if you have a small press. I did it on the side of the road with a pair of C clamps. IIRC, the bearing was a 6202-2rs (j is optional) but it's been awhile.

http://youtu.be/Zn9N5sypuME

Did you change the bearing on a york compressor, or was it the later sanden compressors. (Used on 82 and after)? The service manual says to not to attempt to change just the bearing.

I noticed that the alternator belt was kind of loose the other day, I got that tightened up and so far I haven't heard any noises. Hoping it was just the belt. Will keep posted on whether or not it makes noise tomorrow.

[IowaEagle]

Are the widths of the belt the same on the two pulley models he has and what you have?   Getting a longer/shorter belt should not be a problem then.

[rollguy]

The problem (I have heard) with just changing the clutch, is that you run the risk of loosing the refrigerant charge if done on the car.  It would be best to have the refrigerant recovered first.  Changing the clutch may require the seal to be replaced as well.  It is also harder to replace the clutch with the compressor mounted to the engine.  If you remove the compressor and have to replace the clutch, coil and seal, you might as well just change the entire unit. Sometimes a "bag of worms" is opened when something like this is done.  You would not want to go through the work and expense changing the clutch, only to have the seal start leaking afterward (if not replaced while you are in there).  That is why the suggestion to go with the Sanden.  You would end up with a NEW and more efficient compressor, and it may end up costing about the same in the long run. You need to remember that the York compressor is 30+ years old, and has the technology to go with it (also 30+ years old).

[ammachine390]

Sorry I never gave an update on this. I have been pretty inactive on these forums lately.

Ever since I tightened the belt, the noise hasn't returned. Pretty glad thats what it turned out to be. Thanks for everyones insight.

[DownwardFlame]

If you can go with a Sanden.  Then you will not have to worry about putting oil in the York's separate oil reservoir.   Take it from someone who forgot.  Anybody want a York with a rod thru the side?

Lol, that separate reservoir is the reason why a lot of the jeep guys in my area want Yorks. They can be used as the compressor for an on board air system.

[vangremlin]

I have never seen a compressor clutch with two different size pulleys before. 

My 1980 coupe has two different diameter pulleys on the AC compressor.

[rollguy]

If you can go with a Sanden.  Then you will not have to worry about putting oil in the York's separate oil reservoir.   Take it from someone who forgot.  Anybody want a York with a rod thru the side?

Lol, that separate reservoir is the reason why a lot of the jeep guys in my area want Yorks. They can be used as the compressor for an on board air system.

The Sandens work great as air compressors as well.  I had one on my rock crawling SX4, and it worked great.  The car was non-A/C, but the engine had all the A/C parts on it.  I just used the compressor for the onboard air system instead of for A/C.

[BenM]

It is odd, it seems to slow down the alternator. You would think you'd want the opposite.

[carnuck]

Big driving small goes faster.

[BenM]

But the smaller one is driving the alternator. If it were the bigger one driving the alt it would be faster.