HELP! A.C. suddenly quit today!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,884
Likes: 180
From: Morgan Hill, CA
I just replaced my compressor clutch last friday, and another buddies the week before.
the air gap between the clutch plate and pulley should be .025 to .030. the clutch plate is held on by one single 8mm bolt, remove bolt, slide clutch plate off compressor shaft, turn plate over and remove shim inside, replace with a thinner shim. Dont be suprised when you pull the compressor plate off and find that the plate, and the pulley have become grooved from use. You may find that you want to replace the whole clutch assembly, no problem, its about $100 from your local big box auto store, and comes with a new clutch plate, new pulley,bag of shims snap ring, new clutch plate bolt and a new electromagnet actuator. You will need a three jaw puller, and a pair of snap ring pliers to do this. Release serp belt tension, after you have removed the clutch plate, you will see a snap ring holding the pulley onto the compressor housing, remove the snap ring, use three jaw puller to remove the pulley, and then remove the old electromagnet with the puller. use a little lube on the inside of the new magnet, and get it started ont he housing by hand, use a rubber mallet to seat the magnet on housing. do the same for the pulley, but make sure you have it seated all the way and the snap ring groove is visible all hte way around the housing. install new snap ring, spin pulley to make sure it is aligned and running true. start with the largest shim in the bag, and place clutch plate on pulley. sheck airgap between pulley and plate. is it .025 to.030? if so put the bolt in and tighten, if not try a smaller shim from the bag. reinstall serp belt, start truck and turn A/C on and enjoy cool comfort.
I still have my old compressor clutch in the shop, and will take some pics tomorrow to go with this little write up.
the air gap between the clutch plate and pulley should be .025 to .030. the clutch plate is held on by one single 8mm bolt, remove bolt, slide clutch plate off compressor shaft, turn plate over and remove shim inside, replace with a thinner shim. Dont be suprised when you pull the compressor plate off and find that the plate, and the pulley have become grooved from use. You may find that you want to replace the whole clutch assembly, no problem, its about $100 from your local big box auto store, and comes with a new clutch plate, new pulley,bag of shims snap ring, new clutch plate bolt and a new electromagnet actuator. You will need a three jaw puller, and a pair of snap ring pliers to do this. Release serp belt tension, after you have removed the clutch plate, you will see a snap ring holding the pulley onto the compressor housing, remove the snap ring, use three jaw puller to remove the pulley, and then remove the old electromagnet with the puller. use a little lube on the inside of the new magnet, and get it started ont he housing by hand, use a rubber mallet to seat the magnet on housing. do the same for the pulley, but make sure you have it seated all the way and the snap ring groove is visible all hte way around the housing. install new snap ring, spin pulley to make sure it is aligned and running true. start with the largest shim in the bag, and place clutch plate on pulley. sheck airgap between pulley and plate. is it .025 to.030? if so put the bolt in and tighten, if not try a smaller shim from the bag. reinstall serp belt, start truck and turn A/C on and enjoy cool comfort.
I still have my old compressor clutch in the shop, and will take some pics tomorrow to go with this little write up.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Start by re-using the existing shim. You may find that you need to adjust what you have, but that's easily done in just a few minutes after you get the proper shim kit.
For anyone interested, I finally decided to put the procedure to re-set the air gap on my website:
http://springerpop.net/F350/air_gap.html
Pop
For anyone interested, I finally decided to put the procedure to re-set the air gap on my website:
http://springerpop.net/F350/air_gap.html
Pop
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,884
Likes: 180
From: Morgan Hill, CA
Thanks Pop! I found the little tiny washer like thing in the old plate. I guess that's the shim... Stewart came up and we knocked it out. I measured it and it's about .031 or so now. It's FREEZING again in my truck now. Even Stewart commented on how cold it worked. Mine has the AC vacuum switch mod done and has never had a bit of extra refrigerant added.
Special thanks to Stewart for coming down to "Man-Town" and helping out. We've already begun planning for a get together/mod day. I've got room to work on about 30 trucks with maybe only 10 on pavement.
Stewart's gonna be getting some new AC clutch parts as well. His look almost as bad as mine but his gap was like .043 and still works for now.
Ready for summer camping trips now!
Special thanks to Stewart for coming down to "Man-Town" and helping out. We've already begun planning for a get together/mod day. I've got room to work on about 30 trucks with maybe only 10 on pavement.
Stewart's gonna be getting some new AC clutch parts as well. His look almost as bad as mine but his gap was like .043 and still works for now.Ready for summer camping trips now!
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 756
Likes: 2
From: Phoenix Az
I did mine the other night, exactly as Pop described it. Mine had a .050 gap. There was only one shim, about .030 in it. I removed it. I noticed there was some grooving in my plates, as well. I guess when the gap gets too big again, I'll have to replace the clutch plates.
It doesn't cut out now and not come back on.
It doesn't cut out now and not come back on.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Thanks Pop! I found the little tiny washer like thing in the old plate. I guess that's the shim... Stewart came up and we knocked it out. I measured it and it's about .031 or so now. It's FREEZING again in my truck now. Even Stewart commented on how cold it worked. Mine has the AC vacuum switch mod done and has never had a bit of extra refrigerant added.
Special thanks to Stewart for coming down to "Man-Town" and helping out. We've already begun planning for a get together/mod day. I've got room to work on about 30 trucks with maybe only 10 on pavement. Stewart's gonna be getting some new AC clutch parts as well. His look almost as bad as mine but his gap was like .043 and still works for now.
Ready for summer camping trips now!
Special thanks to Stewart for coming down to "Man-Town" and helping out. We've already begun planning for a get together/mod day. I've got room to work on about 30 trucks with maybe only 10 on pavement.
Stewart's gonna be getting some new AC clutch parts as well. His look almost as bad as mine but his gap was like .043 and still works for now.Ready for summer camping trips now!
On the way home I put my AC on max, highest blower setting, coldest temp setting.....it sux compared to yours! After feeling your setup with the bypass, I think I might be ordering the Excursion OEM setup and modding my AC!
Stewart
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Central Washington State
Yep! You got a nice spread up there Andy! I gotta call Nolan and put a bug in his ear since he has a diesel club. I already called Pete.
On the way home I put my AC on max, highest blower setting, coldest temp setting.....it sux compared to yours! After feeling your setup with the bypass, I think I might be ordering the Excursion OEM setup and modding my AC!
Stewart
On the way home I put my AC on max, highest blower setting, coldest temp setting.....it sux compared to yours! After feeling your setup with the bypass, I think I might be ordering the Excursion OEM setup and modding my AC!
Stewart
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,549
Likes: 14
From: Payson, AZ
Yep! You got a nice spread up there Andy! I gotta call Nolan and put a bug in his ear since he has a diesel club. I already called Pete.
On the way home I put my AC on max, highest blower setting, coldest temp setting.....it sux compared to yours! After feeling your setup with the bypass, I think I might be ordering the Excursion OEM setup and modding my AC!
Stewart
On the way home I put my AC on max, highest blower setting, coldest temp setting.....it sux compared to yours! After feeling your setup with the bypass, I think I might be ordering the Excursion OEM setup and modding my AC!
Stewart
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
I did mine the other night, exactly as Pop described it. Mine had a .050 gap. There was only one shim, about .030 in it. I removed it. I noticed there was some grooving in my plates, as well. I guess when the gap gets too big again, I'll have to replace the clutch plates.
It doesn't cut out now and not come back on.
It doesn't cut out now and not come back on.
Getting ready for summer, I re-did my own air gap today.
I, too, took out all of the remaining shims, and next time it'll be a new clutch.
Pop
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Central Washington State
Here's a link to my Photobucket Colder AC Mod album for my SD. LINK
EDIT; Sorry for the hijack
Last edited by puller45; Jun 12, 2010 at 12:06 AM. Reason: hijack
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
At least four hot, long summers. Just a guess.
However, it took a long while to wear out to where it is. What, eight years?
So, maybe eight more?
Pop
However, it took a long while to wear out to where it is. What, eight years?
So, maybe eight more?
Pop
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,549
Likes: 14
From: Payson, AZ
When it starts turning cold I unplug the vac line at the valve and plug it and put a cap on valve vac port to return HVAC to normal operation.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Stewart
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
I believe that OEM valve is what Bob Riley was selling a few years ago when I did mine.
I'm just not sure I put it in the EX's location. It sits right above my AIH relay, just aft of the "Powerstroke" cover. Where is it on your EX?
Pop