• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Low Cost Tip, How to Remove Air Con and Air Pump

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan A
  • Start date Start date Jul 6, 2004
I

Ivan A

New Member
May 26, 2004
17
0
0
Jul 6, 2004
#1
  • Jul 6, 2004
  • #1
Its not rocket science so I'll try to keep it short - basically I wanted to delete my air con and air pump from my 85 Mustang GT but I wanted to do it for as little expense as possible. I think I managed it for under $20 including a new belt...here's how.

1. Remove the old belt
2. Remove the Air Con and all of its pipework, accumulator and heat exchanger in front of the radiator. It didn't work any way so no loss.
3. You could remove the air pump at this point althought I have not gotten around to that yet - there are lots of 'how to' posts on this if you search.

At this point I wanted to put on a new short belt from crank to water pump to power steering to altenator without any need for idle pulley wheels which I think are kind of pointless. I bought a 710K6 belt which eventually squeezed on, but when I released the belt tensioner it pressed the belt down too far so that it was rubbing.

I took it for a test drive but the belt was slipping and getting very hot (as well as dropping lots of rubber). So I thought of a simple fix.

4. Take off the belt tensioner and throw it in a corner, then I fabricated an adjustable length tie rod using some all-thread with bolts welded on either end and an adjustment nut and lock nut to set the length.

5. The distance between centres needs to be about 75mm when fully closed. Slacken off the bolt below the altenator before adjusting the belt tension, then once its tight re-torque it.

6. I bolted it all up this evening and took it out for a test drive and the belt squeal and rubbing have totally gone.

Attatched are before and after pictures which show the belt tensioner replacement. I'll probably have to buy a new belt for $12 since I cooked the one that's on when it was rubbing but I think you could do it easily for under $20 if you have access to a welder and some simple workshop tools.

One final point - the 710K6 (71 inches with 6 ribs) is with under size pulleys - check your length if you are running std pulleys. Good luck.


Before Photo with belt tensioner and air con

After photo with new belt routing. Just use the tie rod to move altenator to tension belt.
 

Attachments

  • DCP_1414.webp
    47.6 KB · Views: 256
  • DCP_1893.webp
    43.1 KB · Views: 246
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
water pump installation questions
  • B0udreaux
  • Feb 5, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
38
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 28, 2026
General karthief
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
165
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
M
Progress Thread mnky99 2001 V6 evap core, ac compressor, heater core replacement
  • mnky99
  • Sep 5, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
509
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 5, 2025
mnky99
M
Drivetrain 83’ Glx convertible C5 Trans help!
  • JacksonJared2113
  • Dec 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
393
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 26, 2025
JacksonJared2113
For Sale 3-owner 1987 Mustang GT, $18K obro, Lancaster CA
  • Bill Cool
  • Oct 6, 2024
  • Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
Replies
4
Views
2K
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93) Oct 13, 2024
nickyb
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?