Accessory Serpentine Belt Alternative

[Zee]

on my '95 Escort GL, 2.0L MTX, the AC clutch gave up and the bearings are smoking hot.

As temporary fix until I can replace the unit, I want to by-pass the AC compressor, belt-wise.

I wonder if I can merely buy the belt (68-7/8" length) for a non-Ac application?

 

[Goumba]

Check the belt diagram under your hood. That should give you a good idea if the ac compressor pulley will be in the way or not. If the compressor pulley is not in the way, it should work fine. Some one correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[andreslobo]

Belt length

Belt length

For the CONTOUR the belt that they call out for the non ac drive is too long the correct one is 79 inches. You can either try by trail and error, or measure the distance by running a string around the intended belt path and measuring the string, that should be long about a half to 1 and a half inches.

 

[dyaballikl]

For the CONTOUR the belt that they call out for the non ac drive is too long the correct one is 79 inches. You can either try by trail and error, or measure the distance by running a string around the intended belt path and measuring the string, that should be long about a half to 1 and a half inches.

the string test is one i've used in the past. and there shouldn't be any issues just by-passing your a/c on the belt line.

 

[Zee]

For the CONTOUR the belt that they call out for the non ac drive is too long the correct one is 79 inches. You can either try by trail and error, or measure the distance by running a string around the intended belt path and measuring the string, that should be long about a half to 1 and a half inches.

Um, I'm a little confused by what your saying here....The AC belt is 78" while the non-Ac belt is 68-7/8"

But you are saying I need a 79" belt to bypass the AC?

 

[andreslobo]

if it is for a 4 cyl contour it is 79 inches long

if it is for a 4 cyl contour it is 79 inches long

I probably made an error on the ford dictated non ac belt length. But for a 99 4 cyl contour with auto trans the belt length to by pass the ac IS 79 inches or my dementia is progressing quicker than expected, maybe 69 inches. But your original question was about an escort so I told you about the string method to determine belt length

 

[Goumba]

When I removed the ac from my car, I just simply went to the parts counter and asked for the non ac belt for my car. I took it home, and installed it. That easy. I didn't even try to figure out how long it was. What I'm saying is see if the parts store has the non ac belt in their computer, and then there wont be any guessing.

 

[dyaballikl]

When I removed the ac from my car, I just simply went to the parts counter and asked for the non ac belt for my car. I took it home, and installed it. That easy. I didn't even try to figure out how long it was. What I'm saying is see if the parts store has the non ac belt in their computer, and then there wont be any guessing.

don't try that at any of the auto parts stores around my house, they'll just stare at you with a blank look and ask you what you're trying to do. don't you just hate that f'ing question? i'd look around online, surely you can find it, maybe even autozone.com, which has repair manuals for free online.

 

[andreslobo]

been there done that

been there done that

I tried the look up and purchase, it didn't work for the 99 4 cyl with auto, that is why the string method.

It allowed me to drive home my 99 contour that I bought for $200 because the engine wouldn't turn over, the siezed up ac unit actually prevented the engine from starting.

I told the PO that is all he needed to do to get a driver, but he was fed up with it, so... I got a set of brand new tires for my daily driver 98, new battery, backup light, and functioning radio. Sold the runner for a measly $650 without ac and with a broken windshield.

 

[Zee]

I probably made an error on the ford dictated non ac belt length. But for a 99 4 cyl contour with auto trans the belt length to by pass the ac IS 79 inches or my dementia is progressing quicker than expected, maybe 69 inches. But your original question was about an escort so I told you about the string method to determine belt length

OK. I got the belt lengths from looking things u on line with the main three auto parts stores here (NAPA, AZ and Advance).

From what I breiefly swa in my engine compartment, I'd say the Ac is easily bypassed. Probably the non-AC appplications works.

I'll do the string measurement just to be sure.

Thanks