I have a 1997 F150 Lariat with 5.4l V-8 and was told the A/C compressor is broken and has been somehow disconnected so if i select A/C from the dash, it won't be engaged. The actual compressor is still installed with the serpentine belt spinning it and i think the bearing in it is starting to go bad.

I've scoured these forums for a cheap solution (I don't need A/C) and it looks like i can either use a serpentine belt from a non A/C model truck (79.75 inches instead of 99.3 w/AC) or install an AC bypass pulley. The shorter belt seems much easier/faster/cheaper but from the belt routing diagram, it looks like the AC pulley has to be completely removed. Could somebody school me on what they would do in my situation? I don't need AC and want to keep the cost down.

Thanks much!

 

You will need both the bypass pulley and the shorter belt.

By that time, you could have already replaced the pulley and keep your current belt instead of castrating the system.

 

From the diagram on the shroud it looks like the short belt and no A/C Compressor would work fine. Where would the bypass pulley go if i need both the short belt and the pulley? Thanks for the help.

 

I have a 2007 expedition was on route to Florida in Savana when the AC clutch bearing went on Sunday Auto Zone was close by and they helped me out with belts till i got the right one #6PK2005 it bypassed the AC pulley the tensioner and the top idler fit perfect with 1/4' gap where the belts pass each other at the fan belt # 6PK2005 i put on all pulles and squeezed it on the top smooth idler last works great i also have the 5.4 in my 2006 f150 they are identicle so will work on it as well

 

Glad you got yours on the road again! But this is an 8 yr old thread.

 

well thankfully the internet is almost forever because that eight year old thread just helped my stuck butt. Please don’t put down other people for giving input years later. It may help someone else

 

For anyone as of 9/5/21 looking for the exact fix to quickly get back on the road: Exact fit for my 5.4 Triton 98 at around 237k miles and a locked AC Compressor that was refusing to let engine belts move. Was a shorter duralast serpentine belt #795K8 and duralast idler pulley #231053. Apparently there are slightly different size pulleys and belts. I see all over the internet people using the wrong pulleys and belt for the 5.4s. You need an 8 Groove Belt & Pulley for the 5.4. I don't know exactly what you need for smaller ones but if all the pulleys have 8 grooves and your old belt has 8 as well dont use the smaller 6 groove belts or pulleys when the rest of them have 8. It's highly stressful to the system.