Topic: A/C idler bracket disassembly

[rockhouse66]

Has anyone removed the pulley from the C5-AA A/C idler bracket and how did you do it?  I can see where I might be able to just press it off but it looks like pressing it back on would put a load on the bearing, which I do not want to damage.  Probably best to remove the pulley/bearing assembly from the bracket, R&R, then put the whole thing back in?

I don't see any obvious way this thing comes apart and don't want to damage anything so if anyone has experience with this I would appreciate some instructions.

[BKnapp]

West Coast Cougars has a video on this....I will try posting the link...

https://secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/store/p/14898-Rebuild-Service-A/C-Pulley-Wide-Bearing-Styles-Only-PRE-SEND-CORE-1967-1968-Mercury-Cougar-/-1967-1968-Ford-Mustang.html?attribs=77

It’s near the bottom.

[rockhouse66]

Excellent!  Thanks!

[67gtasanjose]

West Coast Cougars has a video on this....I will try posting the link...

https://secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/store/p/14898-Rebuild-Service-A/C-Pulley-Wide-Bearing-Styles-Only-PRE-SEND-CORE-1967-1968-Mercury-Cougar-/-1967-1968-Ford-Mustang.html?attribs=77

It’s near the bottom.

I personally do not agree with every way Don pressed that example together.
NEVER press against the bearing rollers themselves.
I did my idler pulley myself much the way Don showed but also never pressed the pulley back on the way he showed to do it.

[rockhouse66]

I saw that too.  Early in the video he cautions against pressing the bearing by the outer race, then later on he does exactly that.  I suspect that the fit is not so tight that the load will damage the bearing in this case, but it isn't good practice.

[Bob Gaines]

I saw that too.  Early in the video he cautions against pressing the bearing by the outer race, then later on he does exactly that.  I suspect that the fit is not so tight that the load will damage the bearing in this case, but it isn't good practice.

He also says "do as I say and not as I do".

[krelboyne]

Have been wanting to make a better video for a while now. I do all of the A/C bearing rebuilds.
Don did that video a long time ago, I cringe when I watch it. He is actually shown installing one of the pulleys on backwards.

The early (mid 1968 and earlier) bearings are the toughest ones to replace. Those would be the wide bearings.

[Bob Gaines]

Have been wanting to make a better video for a while now. I do all of the A/C bearing rebuilds.
Don did that video a long time ago, I cringe when I watch it. He is actually shown installing one of the pulleys on backwards.

The early (mid 1968 and earlier) bearings are the toughest ones to replace. Those would be the wide bearings.

I enjoyed the video non the less. I think they are invaluable to enthusiasts. Did you get mixed up on the bearing ?  Aren't the wide bearings the ones pressed on the shaft mid 68 and later ? The bearing with the shaft made on to is a smaller diameter and is also the earlier style.

[krelboyne]

No, ones we call the wide bearing surfaces, are the ones with the shafts. With two different lengths of shafts.

I will have to get some pictures of the bearings and my tools of the trade.

[Bob Gaines]

No, ones we call the wide bearing surfaces, are the ones with the shafts. With two different lengths of shafts.

I will have to get some pictures of the bearings and my tools of the trade.

Ok ,I understand your "wide" description better now.I will stand by with interest to see your pictures. Thanks.

[krelboyne]

Some of my A/C pulley rebuilding tools. Picture shows large and small bearing mid-1968-70's. Black painted idler pulley is 1968-69 with small bearing. Bare steel adjusting pulley is from 1970-78 ish. Slightly larger ID and OD compared to 1968-69 bearings.

[krelboyne]

This picture is of the 1967-early68 fixed idler pulley with 289/302. This one uses the wide bearing, but with long shaft.

[krelboyne]

1967-early68 adjustable tension pulley with 289/302 engines. Picture shows two styles of pulleys on the the same bracket. This uses a wide bearing with short shaft. We have the shafts machined down for this and other applications. Some of the various tools shown in the pictures are what I use for disassembly and reassembly.

[J_Speegle]

Thanks for the pictures and examples Scott

Caught it    You know what they say - Big fingers ..... big problems typing

[krelboyne]

Thanks for the pictures and examples Scoot

Shoot, no problem. LOL