1965 vs 1966 273 AC accessory drive

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SSVDP

SSVDP

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The routing for the belts is different for ‘65 & ‘66 273 engines. The ‘65 has two belts for the AC compressor & alternator. While the ‘66 uses one belt for AC with two pulleys.

This is a pic of a ‘65 Dart on Craigslist & a diagram of a ‘66 dealer installed AC.
For ‘66 it looks like they added two pulleys to go to one belt with more belt wrap on the compressor instead of the dual belts used on the ‘65s.

894A64F5-CF7E-4A30-979D-9E3F551E5E65.jpeg


65363E65-EA6C-40F2-8E77-ACA8C472130E.jpeg


4EA51F47-BA46-4B05-BD76-8C2DB7F08CF5.jpeg
 
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I agree. Google Images more. The 1965 doesn't have the correct stamped metal alternator bracket. I recall 1970 was the first year the small block had the 2 inner belts for AC. Are you sure dealer-installed AC was the same as factory AC? I know the firewall varied between AC and non-AC cars in 1965, so there definitely was factory AC. My 1965 had a "Western Auto or Sears" installed AC, with a monster Tecumseh cast-iron compressor, same form-factor as a York but as heavy as an RV2. Not putting that beast back on. The brackets were about as clumsy as in the schematic above. AC was still a rare and expensive option in 1965.
 
My '65 Dart has factory a/c. I no longer have the 273 but may have some old photos of the engine compartment if you're looking for routing or whatever.

IMG_20170201_165048.jpg
 
For ‘66 I think there are TWO (2) different brackets for the tension pulley - and both have the idler pulley.

One like this that attaches to the cylinder head:

7B0DA4DA-5F40-4AE0-8874-549E0725D218.jpeg



Then there’s another and the tension pulley bracket is attached to the AC compressor bracket like this:

DBFCBF99-2196-4AA4-B4C0-3B05DF3F1807.jpeg




And I think it looks like this:
78D48916-012F-4640-A3A5-D989D9597FA0.jpeg
 
Personal preference. I like the smaller dual belts. I have a single belt on my 70 Swinger. Tighten the belt so it doesn't buzz with rpm and it makes the idler bearing scream. (probably needs a new bearing.)
 
There’s not very much belt wrap around the compressor pulley with the two belt system.
I surmise that’s why two belts are needed.
 
SSVDP said:
There’s not very much belt wrap around the compressor pulley with the two belt system.
I surmise that’s why two belts are needed.
Click to expand...
Exactly! I bet it's hard on the alternator bearings as well. The alternator is the tensioner in that system.
 
Sorry for jumping in,Can anyone help me with this part ,I think it is from my 273 A/C
engine,with no power steering .Thanks

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Looks like the “roller idler pulley & bracket” that runs on outside of the belt on the driver side ( US) of the engine.
 
In this pic it’s called the “compressor roller idler”.
The “idler pulley” would be used to adjust the tension. And apparently there are two different designs for the bracket for the idler pulley (see pics of actual brackets in vehicles in this post).

DF13FC9C-885F-4A19-923F-C89C854E9B69.jpeg
 
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