Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: 1994 Buick 3.8 belts, compressor clutch, buick lesabre

Question

 On a 1994 Buick Lesabre 3.8 Front wheel drive, the air conditioner in this car hasn't worked for years, now the clutch on the compressor is starting to hang up. The man doen't want to fix the air conditioning, but knows if the clutch locks, it will chew up his belt. My question is do you know what size belt I would have to get to bypass the air, without having to buy a kit?

Answer
Hi Dutch,
I would unhook the wire to the compressor clutch if it is trying to engage.
The clutch could actually be removed without removing the pulley.
Now, if it is the bearing in the clutch pulley that is trying to lock up, then your route might be the way to go.
Call a parts house and ask if they show that engine without air. Otherwise you will need to measure the distance, and try for a belt that way.

Van