A/C Screehing

[AccessMaster]

I got the belts replaced on my 454 Classic. They were in bad shape. Shortly after they are screeching again. The A/C seems to be the culprit. I checked the belts and they are tight. So now it looks like it is A/C repair time. Any suggestions how to get this taken care of without costing a small fortune? I am in Houston.

[PeterH-350LE]

Tighten the belt some more before spending big $ on the compressor.

[74Argosy24MH]

A second to what Peter said. The ac compressor and power steering are both adjustable on that side, make sure if the adjustment is maxed out on one to adjust the other.

John

[AccessMaster]

Can you describe where the adjustments are on the belts?
They seem really tight now but I can give it a shot.
I could not figure it out before I had them replaced.

[74Argosy24MH]

Before you start a quick test. Turn your air on and see if the clutch is turning. No sense adjusting belts if the compressor is frozen.

The compressor and ps pump both adjust. The ps pump should have a 1/2" square opening at the top, you can use a ratchet or breaker bar in this to apply tension. The only problem is this is fairly hard to get at. The compressor is out in the open but won't stand much prying because of the aluminum case. Peter mentioned using a VW shifter to adjust the alternator, you will probably need some non-traditional tools to adjust the tension.

Decide if it is easiest to make the final adjustment on the ps or ac. Loosen the other and move it close to maximum adjustment, tighten it up. Use the other accessory to make the final adjustment. The belts do stretch after a few hundred miles and should be checked.

John

[PeterH-350LE]

Do you have 3 Belts in your 88?
1 Powersteering, 1 A/C and 1 alternator (and possible smog pump)?
If so, check the small power steering belt first. If it is fairly tight, don't mess with it, because it is very tempting to use power steering pump tank for leverage and if you do, you will be sorry.
The A/C belt also runs over the power steering pulley, but you will never be able to tighten the A/C belt here.
The A/c belt is the hardest to tighten, if you don't have a belt tension pulley (I don't)
There are four bolts that need to be loosened on the A/C bracket, two in the rear and two in the front.
See picture for an example of using leverage.

[Silvertwinkie]

I agree. Check to see if the clutch is turning. On my Oldsmobeater, the clutch seized and the belts squeeled like hell.

Since it was R-12 and I had a new car, I blew off the conversion to 134a, but if I ever want a project, and have money to burn, for kicks I might play with it, but if yours is R-12 and the compressor clutch has gone bad, the R-12 alone will make it cost prohibitive.

Hopefully it's just the missing bolt I think Peter shows or something simple and cheap.

Eric

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally posted by Silvertwinkie

........Hopefully it's just the missing bolt I think Peter shows or something simple and cheap.

Eric

I am not showing a missing bolt. What you see is the thread, the bolt screws in from the other side.

[Silvertwinkie]

I see.

That picture looks almost identical to my alt bracket when the dealer forgot to attach the bolt back to it.

Eric