I found out that the clutch in my air conditioning compressor was going bad and having a serpentine belt set up I was worried that it would eventually sieze up and throw the belt leaving me stranded and having to fix the compressor and recharge it.... $$$$ So I went to the parts store and ordered a new belt that was just the right size so that it would skip my compressor altogether and run the rest of the accessories. I have a 89 Iroc-z with a 305, my previous belt was a poly cog 506955, the new belt is a poly cog 506845, not only did I save myself the $ for fixing the compressor, $20 instead of about $300, but this may have freed up some extra horses as well. Just thought you guys might find this interesting.

 

I thought this method for bypassing the compressor was a common thing?

 

The info you provided is really useless. What is the new routing of the new belt ?!?!? And what did you do about the tensioner ?

 

well if its soooo useless then don't pay any attention to it. All people around here do is flame each other anymore. Anyway, the belt is still routed the same way as stock, just skipping the compressor, and the tentioner is still in contact with it but isn't between the two marks. I was just trying to save myself a couple of hunred bucks, or at least post-pone the final fix till a later date when I have some money.

 

Good deal '89Irocker', I always throw a spare in the back. It's saved me countless times.
The only time I didn't was a few weeks ago when I took my little race car out, and through a belt a 6 grand. It took a whole minute before my temp warning light went off.
I have since converted to a serpentine setup to keep from throwing those damn v-Belts off a 6 grand??? ,but I still carrie that spare!!!

Thanks for bringing that up cause I'm going on a 1000 mile round trip, and need to go get a spare for my Impala... It's better than nothing.

Ron