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I am new to this forum, I have a 1979 Corvette with a 350 crate motor in it, it has sat for some years at my Father's house who is now unable to drive it or keep up with it so I inherited it. I am fairly mechanically inclined and do a lot of stuff my self. I am having issues with the A/C compressor squealing at idle, I dont use the A/C in it as it is the original and would have to retro fit the upgrade if I wanted to use it as I doubt you can find the freon for it.
Can I just bypass it by removing the belt or will that effect the water pump and fan performance negatively? Ideally I would like to retro fit it eventually but not there yet on this restore, got some other bigger issue to work out. Windows down and T-Tops off will due for "Air Conditioning".
i agree…
with no air pump and no ac belt on a 79…that leaves one belt for water pump, and not tensioned toowell..
Screeching at idle tells me you do have freon when on..or clutch bad
Last edited by interpon; Dec 10, 2021 at 03:05 PM.
I also agree...
You think you have squealing problems now then just run a single alternator belt...
Drawing 3 is what your L82 with A/C belt and pulley system was originally like.
Drawings 1 & 2 are of NON A/C cars.
Notice belt 9, it is a stretch to fit belt requiring completely different pulley numbers.
Did you use your original pulleys on the crate engine?
These photos are of a 77 L48 NON A/C showing stretch to fit belt 9.
Last edited by bmotojoe; Dec 11, 2021 at 09:43 AM.
I always thought the engineers did an "overkill" on the belt system since the 70's. All those belts on the water-pump is insane. No wonder the pumps didn't last 40,000 miles. Too much strain on the bearings pulling in too many different directions.
If you don't need / want smog pump or A/C, pitch all that stuff in a box for the next owner.
Remember, a single belt ran V8 W. Pumps & Gens since 1955 w/o issues. If they squealed it was glazed. If it was glazed you replaced it.
I have been running a single belt, crank > W.P. > ALT for decades w/o problems. PS gets solo belt.
Never thrown a belt. No squeal. No slippage. No worries. (I do keep a spare in the battery compartment)
Can I bypass the A/C compressor
