A/C compressor driven w/ a single belt - reasonable?

[aribert]

I saw on one of the ClassicInline tech pages about adding A/C to a small six w/ headers. In it the author mentioned the AC comp being driven w/ only one belt.

I have a problem w/ fitting a double sheeve harmonic balancer in my '61 Falcon. I spaced the fan forward to clear the 2nd pulley by 0.25 inch. and to get 0.4 inch clearance to the radiator (only a 2 core) I resoldered the rad mtg straps about 0.25 inch off center relative to the tanks - pushing the rad core forward and away from the fan. When I eventually get A/C installed, I expect to want to have a 3-row cor rad and there is just not enough room. That is why using only a single belt to the comp is so appealing. Also, because the battery is on the RH side of the engine compartment on a '61. there is no room for the comp unless it is mounted low and then there really is no room for the alternator. I plan on using a 1-wire "coffee cup" alternator hug low under the A/C comp (next to the oil pan) and if there is only one belt to the A/c comp then I can drive the alt off of the second sheeve on the comp. I will be using a Sanden comp. Is this doable and will it be reasonably dependable - I always carry tools and a spare belt in my on vehicle spares.

 

[The Plankster Prankster]

that should be fine.
i had a truck that came OEM with something driven in that manner. IIRC it had one belt to the fan and comp, and something driven off the comp. it was something like that.

 

[BUZZ]

Like The Plankster Prankster said it will work fine just be sure that the belt wraps around the outer side of the pully as much as possible so it won't slip to much when the compressor engages.

 

[fordconvert]

Like the others said its all about the wrap. Think of the serp setups on later cars with all the idlers. If you look you see that often the idler is just there to get at least 1/2 a wrap on the pulleys. Lawnmowers use V belts so that would be a place to look for idlers. I would stick to commercial grade stuff like John Deere. I would not trust the AYP/ MTD kind of stuff to last in a car. You may also want to 'upgrade' to the type of belts they use in mowers also because they are rated for more power (if they are made in your size).