Expert: Mike Evans - 6/27/2010

Question
i have a 1996 s10 4.3 vortek engine, anyway the ac-clutch locked up and broke the belt and i took it off and i want to leave it off and add a idler pully . i have a bolt hole on engine block just looks to be in right place to bolt on.i have a belt layout that shows with and without ac belt layouts.but there is no pulley there for the without ac lay out and i must put it on, and i am thinking this is just a idler pulley am i right.

Answer
    I don't have a diagram for no A/C on the S10.  If your layout shows the belts going around the same pulleys in the same direction, then you probably just need an idler to go where the compressor was.  Problem is that only the pulley is available in the aftermarket.  You're going to have to go to Chevy to get the bracket that bolts in place of the compressor.
    
    If it was the bearing in the A/C clutch that locked up, it can be replaced (just the bearing).  It is not expensive, and is not hard to install.  If it is the compressor that locked up, and the clutch still turns, then you can disconnect the power to the clutch.  In both these cases you would be using the compressor as the idler.  This is really a better idea than removing the compressor.  Some day you might want the A/C to work again, for yourself or whomever you sell the car to, and it would be much simpler if everything was still there ready to go.