RE: [Chrysler300] A/C CLUTCH SOUGHT

Often, in my own sad personal experience, the bearing that mounts the clutch pulley is what fails, as it is really just like an idler, it is going all the time even when compressor and clutch are off. I once went through a huge hassle (three days trapped in hotel on a 7 day pre reserved vacation to Newfoundland, including missing the ferry ) waiting in Sydney Nova Scotia Canada, for a compressor, due to “replacing a compressor”, and all that entails, for about 1400 at a Chrysler dealer..no choice. (which came with a clutch). I did not realize at that time, the drive pulley is a “live mount “ to the engine block, through the compressor castings (net of brackets, essentially) on that design, NOT the compressor shaft(!!) a jeep 4.0 . So could have replaced the clutch bearing without the compressor, or clutch and bearing, as that is where the pulley support bearing is. How much they come apart is an issue-- yes, but service person at dealer of course did not volunteer any of this when I walked in with a “seized compressor” based on the belts burning up. Had same thing on 74 Imperial 440. So not uncommon. Note that the pulley turns all the time with AC off!!

That bearing takes a beating especially in a car not driven..a little rust on the balls, or poor seals with age and it grinds up and fails. Just like MOPAR belt adjust idlers which fail all the time. It is fairly large so the ball race speeds are high. They vary a lot in design, I only bring this up to be sure what is going on, is what you think is going on . I was all wrong. Twice. The clutch itself does not wear very much, it is a coil and two friction faces . Again design varies. But compressor shaft and seals etc do not / cannot seize up the pulley when compressor is off…they are not turning!. Even if on, and the compressor seized, I would expect the clutch to slip and smoke, fix by turning AC off. The mount of the pulley bearing does that nice seize the pulley part, burning up the belts, compressor is not involved , as it is often not turning.(it looks like all of it is turning, it is not) .

Not sure if this helps ---but it might. As far as clutch itself, I believe someone once told me that later V2 clutches fit , ---the 74 Imperial was still a V2 , but I do not know that fit for sure and hesitate to say that as a course of action.. An AC shop would know. In that case a lot of later years V2 might fit. Maybe you can put a new bearing in the old clutch? Bearings are standard things.

If no success, e bay for the whole thing.

Good luck,

John

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of pffkllc@xxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2016 10:37 AM
To: chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Chrysler300] A/C CLUTCH SOUGHT

Hi Group:

It seems as soon as we think we have Anne's K convert ready to go, something else intervenes. The other day, while I was taking it down for a new exhaust system, the AC compressor seized - smoke, terrible sounds and all.

Surprisingly, a new compressor was readily available, and was delivered the next day. However, a new clutch is nowhere to be found. None of our local suppliers has any idea of where one would find a clutch for the new compressor, which strikes me as a bit strange since compressors need clutches and, from what I understand, the clutch seizes up along with the compressor. By chance, are these clutches ever rebuilt? If so, by whom, if anyone knows?

In any event, if any of you are aware of a source for a new clutch for our ac compressor, we would appreciate your letting us know. The thought of putting a 50 year old clutch on a new compressor does not fill me with confidence when it comes to driving the car from New Jersey to Wisconsin, especially since the car is inoperable without the compressor/water pump pulley turning freely.

Any suggestions concerning this matter will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pete Fitch