Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley (Read 2104 times) previous topic - next topic

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

As the title states, I'm looking for an AC Compressor eliminator pulley. Not one of the kit, where you relocated the power steering and such, just one of hte pulleys that bolt right where the AC compressor did. Does anyone know where I can get one? I'm not looking for one of the billet aluminum ones for $79.99. i know Summit has them, but they are 4-6 weeks away, I can't wait that long. Anyone know? Engine is an 87 Thunderbird 5.0

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #1 –
For that pulley,you'll need the Mustang brackets.They aren't made for our cars,they're made for the Stangs.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #2 –
Is there one I can use straight for the thunderbirds? Or, can i get s shorter belt and just go right from the altenator to the power steering pump, and not tie into the ac compressor, like just leave it there, but bypass around it?

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #3 –
I don't think that you would have enough clearance to just skip the a/c to the power steering. You would either need to move the power steering up or change or add a belt tensioner or idler pulley.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #4 –
Why don't you just get the Mustang steering pump bracket and the a/c eliminator that lifts the pump a little? You're trying to make this harder than it needs to be. When you get in a hurry,that's when things go wrong,and you end up spending more than planned through trial and error.I have a Stang bracket that I had planned on polishing,and the FRPP a/c eliminators are allover Ebay for about $40.00.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Haystack;328518
I don't think that you would have enough clearance to just skip the a/c to the power steering. You would either need to move the power steering up or change or add a belt tensioner or idler pulley.


Mine does, but barely. I need about an inch shorter belt. The belt almost rubs itself at the fan/water pump location.
(yes I did remember to put the bolt in for the ALT. lol.)

Of course, this IS a HO engine, NOT the Tbird SO....
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #6 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;328521
Why don't you just get the Mustang steering pump bracket and the a/c eliminator that lifts the pump a little? You're trying to make this harder than it needs to be. When you get in a hurry,that's when things go wrong,and you end up spending more than planned through trial and error.I have a Stang bracket that I had planned on polishing,and the FRPP a/c eliminators are allover Ebay for about $40.00.


The reason I want just an idler pulley for the ac compressor instead of relocating the power steering pump, is I know the pump is old, and I know if i disconnect the lines to move it, they are going to leak, at which point I'll have to buy new lines, or a new pump, and I'm really not interested in doing that right now. I'm hoping to just bolt the idler pulley where the AC compressor is, use the same factory length belt(or a shorter one, if needed) and call it a day. Seems much easier than trying to remove the power steering pump and moving it.

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #7 –
Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;328529
Mine does, but barely. I need about an inch shorter belt. The belt almost rubs itself at the fan/water pump location.
(yes I did remember to put the bolt in for the ALT. lol.)

Of course, this IS a HO engine, NOT the Tbird SO....


Is there a difference between the HO and the SO motor that would make this not work for the Thunderbird?

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #8 –
Quote from: jpc647;328539
Is there a difference between the HO and the SO motor that would make this not work for the Thunderbird?

Brackets are different.

As far as removing the pump,you really don't have to,to swap brackets,all you have to do is remove the pulley (get a puller from Autozone on their loan-a-tool program),and then swap brackets.No lines have to be pulled.The Stang bracket and a/c delete are the best options,and,the least likely to have issues.Buying a shorter belt puts you at risk due to the clearance,or lack there of,at the water pump pulley.Really,to swap on the Stang parts,you're looking at 30 minutes,including pulling the pulley to swap everything.Here's my Stang pump bracket and the FRPP delete kit......

'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #9 –
I'm not sure if this method will work on the SO engine...I sold mine after I yanked it from the Sport so I can't *test* that idea...

I will eventually get a ac-delete setup once I get the rest of the car to "daily driver" status...just moving it in and out of the shop and up and down the driveway it's good enough for now.

BTW, priced a coupla belts just for grits and shins.....wow...they're expensive. Like 55 pin bucks...:hick:
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #10 –
The a/c delete kit will work on SO engine if you use the stang bracket.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #11 –
I would just leave it there if your not willing to remove it. Unplug the plug on it and call it a day. My ac hasn't worked in 2 or more years and I have never had a problem.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #12 –
True.Wait until you can or are willing to do it right the first time.Getting in a hurry is going to cause you some headaches.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #13 –
So what's wrong with leaving the A/C compressor in place??? Unless you are actually using the A/C, it's just a idler pulley...

AC Compressor Eliminator Pulley

Reply #14 –
I put one of the Brackets you are looking for on a 1985 LTD police and was disappointed to learn that you still had to buy a new belt.  The pulley is smaller.  I purchased mine from a guy on Craigslist so I'm not sure where he got it from.

The reason I removed it is to remove all the hoses going to it.  In these years the hoses run right over the spark plugs and make it very hard to work on the engine.

I just sold the LTD for $1,000 and got all kinds of calls.  Maybe I sold it too cheap?

TED