I just ordered a new compressor with a slew of other parts from fordparts.com since I'm doing a rebuild of my 97's A/C system.

Does the 3.0 compressor that comes from Ford include the clutch assembly pre-installed?

If not I have no problem transplanting the old parts minus the old clutch plate to the new unit. However when reading on removing the field coil I feel weary. I have a three jaw puller to remove it but I don't have the special tool to reinstall it.

Can't I just press the new one on by hand or is that not possible?

 

I don't think you can just press the new clutch onto the shaft; from what I've read, and pictures posted on this list recently, there is no support for the shaft within the comrpessor. This is why you need a special tool. I wonder if you can try to draw it onto the shaft with the bolt, like on a harmonic damper?

 

Well then I hope it comes pre-installed. Personally I think I've got enough on my plate with the overhaul of the system. But with the way Ford messed up on the valve stem on the discharge line I'm not expecting anything.

The instructions say to press the field coil on with a 3 jaw puller the jaws grab onto the mounts where the bolts go and you use a special attachment put on the pressure screw of the puller which presses the coil on. I think a large socket or properly sized pipe if I can find it will suffice.

 

take to a/c shop and have them install clutch or call several for instructions....don't want to damage bearings and shaft

 

I had the instructions for clutch installation from Ford but I quickly decided that I don't want to deal with all of this.

After having the system discharged.

I invested in a vacuum pump FJC 2.5 CFM Double Stage it cost me $149 with the manifold gauges brand new and 1 Year Warranty. Since I know how to properly vacuum and recharge. Plus now I will put the system under a 1 hour deep vacuum something the shops simply won't do.

The clutch assembly would cost me $100 from Napa and even more from Ford so at $200.00 for the compressor which was most likely remanufactured and $100.00 for the clutch that shot me up to $300.00 for the compressor and I needed to do more work.

Since from my order history of previous orders I saw that Fordparts takes about 4 days to ship I decided to cancel my order except for the liquid line and order the compressor from Napa.

There I purchased a new not remanufactured compressor since I've heard stories of some brands of remanufactured compressors having good and bad results. This compressor includes the clutch assembly so no more worries for me.

If there was a cost savings I would have bought the tools but I would have ended up spending more money to do more work when I could spend less money buying the compressor with the clutch and have it done for me. No brainer .

Thanks for the help guys.

 

RockAuto dot com carries all the major brands new and rebuilt with and without clutch for the lowest price I've found
site sponsor also....fast shipping....they know what they are doing....good tech/parts phone counter help
i am NOT affiliated in any way with rockauto except a very satisfied customer....

can't and won' say that about some of the big chain parts stores i've done business with....notice past tense

Ford does not build their new compressors or rebuilts, all farmed out now...Visteon builds the new comp....god knows who does the rebuilds?

 

Thanks for the site however I must warn you I saw some Four-Seasons compressors on there avoid any four seasons product like the plague. They have to be the worst aftermarket parts company out there.

Autozone sells them as well I purchased a compressor once for one of my cars and the first one was physically damaged so I exchanged it for another on the next compressor one of the bearings must have been shot because once it was installed it was squealing like a pig.

I promptly returned the piece of junk got a credit and bought a Napa Temp compressor and I've been happy ever since. I only buy new though since you never know the skill level of the rebuilder is and as you said who rebuilt the thing?