A/C compressor bypass belt, anyone done this?

[mweiman]

The a/c compressor locked up on my brother's 06 2500 last week and shredded the belt. No one stocks a compressor locally so ordered one from RockAuto. After doing some internet research I intended to bypass the compressor with a non a/c belt(110 3/4 long). Was just in the same situation with another truck a month ago so I thought I would have the belt on hand to do it. Anyhow tried to make it work today and no luck. Some diagrams show the same routing just skipping the compressor. Tried this and it is close but belt is too long. Some talked about having to move the tensioner to the outer mounting position. In the outer spot it won't get the belt tight and in the normal spot it ends up with the belt rubbing against itself at the bottom of the water pump. Saw some other routing diagrams online but they would have the ribbed side of the belt running against the smooth tensioner pulley. RockAuto only lists the smooth tensioner, no a/c or non a/c options.
I also notice that they make a bypass pulley to put in place of the compressor for the older trucks but not for common rail motors.
Thanks,
Matt

 

[Shadrach]

A while back a friend called me to go look at their 04 because " there was smoke and a bang from under the hood". Hmmm Not a good sign. Turned out the A/C compressor had seized and burnt the belt off. To make a long story short I installed a non A/C belt so that the truck could be driven home and then get fixed later. I had trouble figuring out the routing but I did Not have to move the tensioner or modify any thing. The belt, in my opinion, routs in a weird way and almost touches itself. It is a lot easier with 2 people, one on top and one under neath. Napa sent us the wrong comp but we eventually got it back to stock. I now have a Non A/C belt in my collection in case of another emergency. David

 

[B.G. Smith]

If the A/C is locked with the A/C off it is the A/C clutch bearing. bg

 

[mweiman]

The belt is touching itself at the water pump on the bottom. Didn't even try to start it because it rubbing.

If the A/C is locked with the A/C off it is the A/C clutch bearing. bg

Or both. I think the compressor was locking up on their last trip home and got the clutch bearing hot enough that when it sat and cooled off it welded itself together. Had another truck that the compressor seized up so we unplugged it and within a month locked up the bearing also. I guess same thing it had overheated the bearing from the clutch slipping and damaged it enough that it soon failed.
Matt