I recently bought a 1988 f150 XLT Lariat with the 4X4. When I bought it the guy said the air conditioner didn't work. this really didn't bother me because I just wanted it to learn to drive a manual. I've had it about a month now and it started squeaking like there was something wrong with the belts, and everytime it revved up very high it made a nails on a chalk board Like sound. I checked and I'm pretty sure it is the clutch in the A/C compressor. Sorry about all the reading! but now to my question!

If I remove the compressor completely and get a bypass pulley to put there,I'd I decide later on down the road that I want to spend the money and get a new compressor can I just buy a new one and hook it up? Or would there be a lot more work because I had pulled the old one off and let it off?

 

You can remove the compressor, but then you would be leaving the A/C lines open to the elements. The compressor may not be the reason the A/C doesn't work, it may just ave a simple leak and is low on freon.

Also for the price of the A/C bypass kit, you can get a new pulley and clutch for the front of the compressor if its the bearings that are failing. Be sure to remove and belt and check all the pulleys for play and bad bearings.

 

sounds like you need a new belt to me...and agree with sylver...charge it up and see what happens...

 

Thanks guys. I plan on really digging into tomorrow to see if I can figure something out. I didnt really think about just replacing the clutch and pulley.