I'd like to get rid of the air-pump but retain the air-conditioner on my '88 V12 S3.

I've read the posts on removing the air pump and blocking the air rails, etc. In order to keep the AC, I see 3 options:

Option A
Run an idler pulley instead of the air pump. I believe the Euro cars had it. Called SNG, the rep had no info on it. Is there a source for this and what is the going $ rate for this?

Kirby talks about using a Ford pulley in his book, but provides no details. Any options for adapting parts from other cars?

I have machinist buddies, so I suppose I can also get a part made worst case.

Option B
Is is possible to run the AC compressor without an idler pulley? In this pic at the bottom of this thread has a clean looking engine bay where triton227 looks like he's done just that. OR is that an alternator sitting there?

How is ac belt removal and adjustment handled in this case? Special bracketery?

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xjs-32/eliminating-air-pump-v12-47898/



Option C
Relocate the ac compressor to the air pump bracket and move the alternator into the Vee. Kirby's book talks about someone that did this, it should entail a fair amount of work with ac hoses and such. Good long term solution, any threads here with additional detail?

 

My air pump is gone on my 86 and a GM ALT sits on the upper right, A/C adjustment is done via that adjustment as the alt belt shares the A/C belt on my set-up.

 

My car never had an airpump (heck, not even had cats!) and there is the tensioner sitting on the front right of the engine. I assume that is where the airpump sits on us models!?

It is a small bolt on part. I threw one away as mine is totally fine and the other one was "wobbly".

This is the part (in German but you can guess the parts):

Kompressorverstellung - 5,3 Liter - Ersatzteile Für XJS von (V)139052 bis (V)179736 | Jaguar Heritage Parts DE

 

That photo looks like an alternator/generator, but not an a/c compressor.

Try XK Unlimited is San Luis Obispo, for that idler bracket set up.

 

Did the same thing. I wanted to remove the air pump but didn't know how to tension the belt. Found out that a Bando 3430 belt is the perfect size to go from Crank pulley to AC pulley. When the compressor is tightened to it's bracket with the belt on, the tension is perfect. That's how mine is running now.

Something to consider.

 

Just wanted to follow up with a second affirmation of this technique. Just installed Bando 3430 directly around AC compressor and crank pulley-as this poster said-perfect fit.

 

Good to know, I got a machinist buddy to conjure something up. Of course, he over engineered it like all good engineers do

 

OOOOOOOO, I want one of those!

What is it?

 

Looks like a great set up, any chance of getting more info ? What parts would be fabricated ?
Lawrence

 

It's the custom made equivalent of the idler pulley on the UK versions to eliminate the air pump and still retain the AC. Here's what it looks like.

I paid $200 for it, be glad to ask my machinist to make another for you if you're interested. He put in a couple of bearings fore and aft, machined it outta billet, etc. completely overengineered like I said 😀

It uses the stock pulley (flipped around) that came with the air pump

 

I have the Euro stock idler set up already running on my car. Where the air pump use to be. I will need a bearing eventually & though this was some different way around the stock Jag bearing.
Lawrence

 

HEllo Warlock, I live in Florida and have a stock 86 xjs ,v 12 Coupe .I would like to eliminate the airpump assembly without replacing it with modified alternator set up, that some have done. I like the design and setup that you and your machinist came up with, re: new AC idler bracket and pulley assembly.
It has been sometime since your last Post on this. So would you be able to put me in touch with the machinist that fabricated your assembly and also what would the cost be?
Thank you very much for your reply- Morgan Waters
e mail: morganwaters@att.net