Replacing AC system, don't know which belt to use

[fatboy]

OK, so here's my problem:
The past two owners of my hearse were, how should I put this...... COMPLETE MORONS. It would seem that their idea of auto repair involved doing stupid, random things to the hearse and hoping that would fix it. I'll spare you the list of B.S. that I've had to correct on this poor caddy and just get to the current problem, the AC system.
Now, when I got the car I found that the AC compressor belt had been removed and the AC suction and discharge hoses were detached. This in itself isen't a problem, I'm going to replace the entire AC system anyway (I live in Alabama now, so I'm going to need a reliable AC system). What IS a problem though, is that I don't know which belt/pulley the AC compressor is supposed to be attached to. There are currently no empty pulleys on the enging block, which means that the compressor must share a belt with one of the other components. It would appear that the compressor shares a belt with the steering pump, but I would like some proof before I start buying/removing things. Also, I don't even know what size belt to get, since the past owners just put a smaller belt directly onto tthe steering pump.
Could one of My fellow 1980 Caddy Fleetwood owners look under their hoods and let me know what they see?
And if anyone can tell me what size belt I'll need, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks.

[jlprigmore]

Not a 100% sure but if you went into your local twilight zone and told them you had an 80 Fleetwood with ac wouldn't the right size belt come up on their stupid little computer screen? Now routing is a different story I can't help you there, never owned a caddy before this one and mines way too new to be of any help.

[Guest]

i'm pretty sure mine connected to the crankshaft pulley. check each of the pulleys, if you see one that has two separate belt tracks, that's probably the one. mine's an 85 caddy fleetwood broughm RWD.

[dead ed]

I'll try to get you a picture in the morning. I need to tinker with my 80 S&S this weekend.

[northgahearse]

if its a 80 you got its

dayco part # 17615

CADILLAC COMMERCIAL CHASSIS - 1980 - V8 6.0L 368ci GAS CARB N 6

Part Number Description
17615 Comp. & P.S., w/A.C.
Additional Info:
Metric No : 13A1560
Effective Length : 61.50 in.
Outside Circum. : 61.80 in.
Top Width : 0.53
Angle : 36 deg.


and yes its ps and ac

damn i'm good

[jlprigmore]

You da Man!

[northgahearse]

You da Man!

nah i just for some reason kept all the parts books from when i worked in a parts store back in the early 80s

thats before the auto zone its not in the computer days

[jlprigmore]

Thats why I like Nappy, they still have books so you can cross reference parts. I had to use them quite a bit on my 65 galaxy and my 69 falcon. Didn't always have the right parts listed had to go to the books to find out what different years and makes would work.

[dead ed]

Belt goes around compressor, power steering, and pully closest to the block on mine.

[fatboy]

Damn, ask and ye shall receive!
Thanks folks, I've been going between the Haynes caddy repair manual, Haynes automotive AC manual, the 1980 Cadillac dealer's repair manual, and the net, but all those resources assume that you got your car with all it's parts already in the right places, and don't give detailed info on the basics like belt sizes and locations.
Northgahearse, DeadEd, thanks. Exact, detailed info and big shiny pictures are just what the doctor ordered!

[Guest]

dude, get the factory service manual. you can find them on ebay. mine has been very helpful to me. it's like the thickness of a phone book, and will tell you anything you want to know. it also has troubleshooting procedures. it's very awesome

[staynedglass]

the 1980 Cadillac dealer's repair manual, and the net, !

dude, get the factory service manual.

ummm. he did

[Guest]

ah, whoops. didn't have my glasses on