I repaired leaking hole in condenser today got everything hooked back up vacuumed the system down checked for leaks with nitrogen and since I have 30 pounds of our 12 I charge the system up to 2.75 pounds. And then when I went to turn the system on the clutch engaged and I got that famous smoke. So I found a compressor on eBay $65 and I have not ever changed my serpentine belt either which is in great shape I had it done a bout five years ago. Is there just a tensioner you lift up to replace the belt and is that an easy task and also how easy is it to pull out the compressor I have the original blue plastic shop service manual but it wasn’t showing it in detail. What’s is the process if anyone has done this before.

 

After what it has been through, I would prefer to use a new belt if it were my car that I plan to keep. After the compressor has overheated, I don't know if the belt is good but why bother? You have to take the serpentine belt off for sure. Are you sure that the $65 one is any good? Is it rebuilt by a reputable builder or is it something someone said is good but you really don't know? I would think a rebuilt unit from Autozone would be way better than something someone pulled out of who knows what and unknown condition. I'd get the kit HERE that has the compressor and the dryer. Nothing I love more than to save a few bucks today and spend way more tomorrow and be aggravated having to do it AGAIN.

There is a tensioner. It looks like THIS and you need a 1/2 in ratchet. The first picture is fine. Look at the 2nd and see where a ratchet square head fits. That detensions the belt. I would remove it and toss it. AC compressor is a few bolts. Take that out and it should come off easy. Watch for the support brackets. What exactly are you trying to achieve?

 

The part I want to achieve is I want to get the heat removal system of my HVAC to be functional. eak tested system everything‘s good to go there I have all the proper equipment as I do that for a living refrigeration technician. The compressor no that’s just coming off a salvaged 22,000 mile 85 Corvette. Now I do also have a brand new 134A Compressor that I bought two years ago. I like the pressure temperature relationship with our 12 I can get that a lot cooler and I don’t have to replace the metering device for the 134A which is easy. After doing a little research that belt looks very easy one goes up one goes below the pulleys. After looking at mine it looks like I only have two bolts to remove to pull that compressor out one on each side. But again I am debating like you were saying I don’t want to do it twice do I put a brand new compressor I know that’s gonna work 100% but change the refrigerant to 134A or do I give this a compressor a chance as it does have a warranty and is guaranteed for 90 days and run r- 12 factory. Normally I wouldn’t even work on this part of the system but after spending $2900 to have my transmission rebuilt as I had to have a new case due to when I took the vehicle to get serviced they put transmission stop leak which basically ate all my seals and it also rendered my case on usable as the owner tried to sand it down where he was showing me and it was still very rough unusable case. So now that I’ve spent that much on the vehicle that only has 78,000 miles I’m going to put a little money into it.

 

There are three bolts that hold the compressor on, the last on is in the bottom of the compressor and nearly impossible to see if the motors gunked up. There's a slot on the compressor pulley that needs to be lined up with the bolt so you can actually get at it with the proper tool.

 

Are you sure the new one doesn't work with R12 if you just empty it and change the oil?

 

You should watch this video.

 

The one I received today came off at 86 Corvette and it works with r 12 you can use R 12 with POE oil the same as 134 as I do HVAC and a couple of classes I took a while back they were talking about this in a webinar. After looking at the compressor it shows there’s four bolts I thought there was only three at least holding the compressor up I can see four slots for bolts to go through