[Ivy66GT]

I did a search for '"66 a/c idler bracket" and the closest thread to what I need contained one of Veronica's pictures for an earlier car; see purloined photo. The '66 bracket is essentially the same but has a stamped steel pulley instead of a cast iron one.

I have the bracket. My problem is a bearing that grumbles almost all the time but especially bad when the A/C compressor runs. How do you get the bearing out of one of these things? Also, when I search for a bearing, none of the normal sources seem to even know what I want. Was this designed as a throw-away part?

[The Greek]

National Parts Depot has an idler bearing kit for the 65-66, 289 V8 engine. This is the bearing for the pulley. P/N 8680-1A $32.50. Their California store services your area. 1-(800) 235-3445

You might be able to find the bearing at a shop that specializes in bearings for a lesser price. You may want to check. This is what I did when I rebuilt my steering box. The price was half of what Mustang resto dealers wanted.

I'm not quite sure how the bearing is secured to the pulley, but NPD is selling rebuilt idler pulley and bracket assys., so they probably aren't available in repro form.

[Ivy66GT]

Originally Posted by The Greek

I'm not quite sure how the bearing is secured to the pulley...

That's my problem. The cover on the front side, center of the bearing seems to have been pressed in. Removing it would likely destroy it and I don't know where to buy a replacement unless its in the NPD kit.

For the compressor clutch pulley bearing the standard bearing houses didn't have a replacement - they sent me to NAPA. Something about compressors of all types use special, non-standard bearings.

[Ivy66GT]

Just talked to NPD. The bearing comes mounted on the short shaft and there is a freeze plug like cover to go on the front side. So the shaft must press out of the bracket - somehow. And the pulley must be held on the bearing with a snap ring.

Anyone ever done this repair to know if my description is half way correct?

[Ivy66GT]

Not receiving any more comments I ordered the bearing kit from NPD. It has not only the bearing but the very thick dust shield (a standard Dorman part for ??) that covers the forward end of the bearing. The only problem was I didn't have a tool which would allow me to press the old bearing out. There is hardly any space between the back side of the pulley and the bracket behind. I took it to my machinist and he didn't have such a tool either.

There are no snap rings. The bearing presses into the smooth bore of the pulley and the shaft presses into the smooth bore of the bracket. Once its apart its not a big deal to press it back together provided you have a press. Getting it apart without breaking something, however, is another thing. My machinist finally sawed the hardened shaft off between the pulley and bracket. Then he could separately press the old parts out of the bracket and pulley. I had him go ahead and press it all back together but there is a small problem.

The old shaft in the original bearing was flush with the front end of the bearing. The NPD kit appears to have been a water pump shaft and bearing of some sort. Since there is no need for the double ended shaft of a water pump, they sawed off and ground the shaft on one end, EXCEPT, they didn't make it flush with the bearing. So if you press the new bearing with the bearing fully engaged in the pulley then there is no space on the front side for the dust shield. My machinist didn't press the bearing completely into the pulley leaving space for the dust shield up front. It works just fine but the bearing sticks out the back side just a little if you have a keen eye. You need to measure how far the old pulley was from the bracket and make sure its the same distance when the new parts are all pressed back together.

I do no think there is any easy source for these bearings except for NPD or possibly some other Mustang parts house. No local bearing shops nor my machinist had any idea. My machinist was actually surprised I had found a bearing since he had NEVER seen one nor installed one. And this is a Ford specialist machine shop who has been in business about 40 years.

Bearing kit: $34.50. Having it installed by machine shop: $30 plus tax, EPA charges, etc. End result: no grumble from the A/C pulley - almost priceless.

[The Greek]

Ivy, thanks for the update. Your description of the process for the repair was top notch. Even though I don't have a requirement for the pulley on my pony, the info was sure good to know. Thanks,again. I'm glad to hear that NPD came through for you.