A/C clutch replacement

Trogdor

5 Year Member
Aug 30, 2018
109
65
38
Anna, TX
A few weeks ago I was sitting idle when I noticed that the A/C stopped blowing cold and after some very quick investigation I found out that the rubber on the A/C clutch face had ripped. I looked around for a replacement clutch and I kept seeing made in China replacements for around $100 or more. I also thought to my self if the Ford unit lasted 28 years and 95k miles maybe I should look for some Ford parts and hope for another 28 years and 95k miles.

First up was realizing that I would need to scout eBay for the NOS parts. The A/C clutch is made of 3 main parts:

  • The clutch
  • The coil
  • The pulley
One thing that I need to point out is most part suppliers list two A/C compressors for our cars depending if the A/C was factory or dealer installed. The factory installed compressor is made in Japan by Denso and it's model number 6P148A, that apparently is also used on some 911 Porsche models. To determine which compressor you have, look for the sticker:
00-AC compressor sticker.jpg


Through a lot of cross-referencing I was able to find what the FORD part numbers are for these components. As we all know Ford likes to have many part numbers for the same part, they change based on year of engineering and revision. Anyhow below is a photo of the three components I picked up from eBay for a grand total of $128.13 tax and shipping:
01-Part numbers.jpg


Here is a close up of the clutch and part number:
02-Clutch face box.jpg

03-Clutch face part number.jpg

04-Clutch face made in Japan.jpg


Details of the coil:
05-AC coil box.jpg

06-AC coil parn number.jpg

07-AC coil made in Japan.jpg

08-AC coil other side.jpg

And finally the pulley. The pulley assembly includes a new bearing, so no need to purchase that separately:
09-Pulley box.jpg

Continued on next post...
 
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Continued from last post
10-Pulley part number.jpg

11-Pulley made in Japan.jpg


As I said the reason was pretty obvious why the A/C clutch was not engaging:
12-Borken AC clutch.jpg


Special tools needed:
13-Tools 1.jpg


OEMTools 27000 A/C clutch holding wrench:
14-Tools 2.jpg


OEMTools 27002 A/C clutch puller:
15-Tools 3.jpg


As an important side note, the puller above was too small to fit the threads of me factory A/C clutch, but fit the replacement one perfectly. I had to go to O'Reilly and borrow their A/C clutch tool kit EverTough 67100. This includes a few different size pullers and one fit the old one perfectly.

Here is how the holding wrench fits onto the A/C clutch face to hold it still while you try to loosen the 13mm (again in my case, I've read 12mm in other places) nut:
16-Tool on clutch face 1.jpg

17-Tool on clutch face 2.jpg

18-Tool in use.jpg


After some chosen words for the holding wrench screws that kept on coming loose, I was able to remove the nut from the center shaft and then using the puller I was able to remove the clutch:
19-Clutch face removed.jpg


Continued on next post...
 
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Continued from previous post.

Now you will need some circlip pliers to remove the snap ring that holds the pulley in place. attention to which side face the pulley and which side faces the clutch. It must be re-installed the same way it was removed. Once that is off the pulley just slides off:
20-Pulley removed.jpg


There is a second circlip that hold the coil in place. It's hard to see and I was not able to take a great picture:
21-AC coil clip.jpg


Once removed just slide off the coil:
22-AC coil removed.jpg


Slide the new coil onto the shaft and secure with the circlip and repeat with the pulley:
23-AC pulley installed.jpg
 
Continued from last post.

I tried checking the air gap of the clutch to pulley using the stock shim, but it was not enough. The factory manual calls for 0.021"-0.036". Here are the dimensions of the factory shim I had:
24-Original shim thickness.jpg

25-Original shim OD.jpg

26-Original shim ID.jpg


And the ID of the new clutch shaft:
27-New clutch face max shim ID.jpg


Those shims are not easy to find. Of all places Autozone was able to order them. I got two different thicknesses:
  • Santech MT0082 0.48" OD, 0.337" ID, 0.008" thick.
  • Santech MT0083 0.48" OD, 0.337" ID, 0.020" thick.
28-New shims 1.jpg

29-New shims 2.jpg


When checking the air gap with a feeler gauge be sure to tighten the shaft nut to the proper torque value with a torque wrench. I THINK the value is aorund 14 lb/ft. If you check the gap without performing this step it will get tighter with the nut installed.
30-Test fitting shim.jpg


Continued on next post...
 
Now enjoy some before and after pictures:
31-Old clutch face.jpg

32-New AC clutch installed.jpg

33-Old cluth plug view.jpg

34-New clutch plug view.jpg


A few notes that I left out of my previous posts and that the forum won't let me edit:

  • I would remove the compressor from the bracket once the clutch is removed. It made it easier to remove the circlips with the pliers.
  • Make sure you do not lose the original shim when removing the clutch.
  • There are several part numbers for the same parts. Use picture to determine if you are buying the right components.
  • After I installed the new clutch and before turning the A/C on, I spun the compressor by hand to make sure it was not locked up and tear up my new clutch.
  • Double check the shop manual for torque and shim thickness values, I'm working from memory.
  • I found the OEMTools listed at Summit.
Total cost of the parts needed came to $140.36. Yes it was more expensive than the $99.99 from LMR and the $86.49 from Autozone, but I had a great learning experience getting the parts together.
 
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Good writeup. Looks like we may have sourced NoS parts from the same vendors.

@Noobz347 can we add this to the tech thread sticky?

8B83DCD9-DAF2-4E70-9775-D007BC0FA8FD.jpeg

I was looking into installing the SN95 clutch on as well. I find it a bit more pleasing to look at and oem parts seem to be easier to find. I think the issue is the small parts needed to mount it. I’d need to find the various clips and such as it’s a tad different it seems
CE7A2CF1-30E1-4871-8481-22061E81E5CA.jpeg
 
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Does anyone have the list of all the different original part numbers that can be added to this thread?

I was looking up the A/C Compressor Clutch Coil YB358, but also saw another (cheaper but still NOS Ford) and looked to be the same part YB341. Both are NOS Ford parts but would think we all can benefit from putting all the "same" parts numbers for those (3) parts. I am about to replace the these parts in the next month or so so it would be super helpful.
 
Does anyone have the list of all the different original part numbers that can be added to this thread?

I was looking up the A/C Compressor Clutch Coil YB358, but also saw another (cheaper but still NOS Ford) and looked to be the same part YB341. Both are NOS Ford parts but would think we all can benefit from putting all the "same" parts numbers for those (3) parts. I am about to replace the these parts in the next month or so so it would be super helpful.

What I have found during my initial search:

  • Clutch hub
    • E43Z-2884-A
    • E43Z-19D786-A
    • E43H-19D786-AA
    • YB-289
    • YB-289A
  • Clutch pulley
    • E4ZZ-19D784-A
    • E2ZH-19D784-A
    • E2ZH-19D784-AA
    • YB-316-A
  • Clutch coil
    • E8DH-19D798-A
    • E8LY-2987-A
    • E8LH-19D798-BA
    • E9DH-19D798-AA
    • YB-357
    • YB-358-A
Hope these help someone.
 
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Additional Information to add to this thread

Nippondenso 6P148A A/C Compressor - used in below:
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 Ford Mustang Thunderbird 3.8L 5.0L
 
I am in the process of getting my compressor replaced but also considering replacing the clutch and stator. Would you guys think its really worth doing so on a 62k mile car? The original parts are working well but the availability is drying up. What to do?
 
I replaced mine and saved the old parts as backups.


There is also a newer “3-puck” style clutch that I think looks more appealing (don’t ask me why) that may be more available. I haven’t quite figured out the vehicle application yet to source Ford OEM parts but it’s the style LMR sells which I’m sure is just parts store stock.

D21841AF-1367-42FD-8310-11B517F04849.jpeg
 
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I replaced mine and saved the old parts as backups.


There is also a newer “3-puck” style clutch that I think looks more appealing (don’t ask me why) that may be more available. I haven’t quite figured out the vehicle application yet to source Ford OEM parts but it’s the style LMR sells which I’m sure is just parts store stock.

D21841AF-1367-42FD-8310-11B517F04849.jpeg
I believe that is from a 94-95 SN95 Mustang. For $100 its not a bad deal at all. I could roll the dice with the stock parts and then use the LMR kit if ever needed.