the AC pulley wines during accelerations and running down the highway at 60 plus
pretty much pin pointed it down to the AC pulley, not the Tensioner!
Alternator is new so it's got to be compressor clutch


is it as easy as just removing the center bolt and 4 back plate bolts once the belt is off?
without doing anything to the compressor / loosing Freon?


Four Seasons® - Ford F-250 1978 A/C Compressor Clutch Assembly

 

Yes it is that easy. Worst case the clutch might be seized on the compressor shaft but it should pop off it is tapered.

Easier way to check for sure is remove belt and see if squeal goes away. Then turn pulleys and listen and feel for smoothness. If all good belt was loose. I had to shim my tensioner a bit with washers to make it line up better. By the way you can use 1/2 socket wrench to help tighten tensioner while tightening bolts. A tensioner tool works better.

Sometimes old hard belts are squeaky too.