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AC Clutch

Discussion in '308/328' started by Lawrence Coppari, Jun 20, 2009.

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  1. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,192
    Kingsport, TN
    Full Name:
    Lawrence A. Coppari
    #1 Lawrence Coppari, Jun 20, 2009
    What is unique about a 328 AC clutch? I have been looking at previous posts and come away with the idea that the compressor is readily available but one must reuse the original clutch.

    Is there a clearance issue? The drive belt on my '87 328 is a standard belt. It seems to me you can move the compressor closer or further away from the block for alignment issues or get a different size belt for a different size pulley.

    The reason why I ask is because nearly every car I've ever owned had the AC clutch go out. I expect this one to croak one of these days just like all the others eventually did.

    There is not much to an AC clutch. In my experience the winding frequently goes bad due to degradation of the insulation. The clutch then draws too much current due to shunting of the current flow reducing the resistance further exacerbating the insulation degradation. Eventually it overloads the fuze or the winding separates completely.

    Can the clutch be taken to an electrical motor shop for a rewinding? Does this one have friction material that wears out?
     
  2. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    #2 Steve King, Jun 20, 2009
    I don't think there is anything exceptional about the AC clutch. I know on the early 308's with the Italian York type compressor the clutch was not unique but hard to find. It was a narrower design. It is still a 12v clutch and if you fit in another compressor (I replaced mine with a Sanden) all you need to make sure of is that it fits in the space available and the pulley lines up. So I believe that the 328 has the Sanden upgrade compressor and if the clutch goes I believe all you need to do is go back to sanden for a replacement. All of these AC systems have aftermarket parts available with maybe the exception of the evaporator.
     
  3. Lawrence Coppari

    Lawrence Coppari Formula 3

    Apr 29, 2002
    2,192
    Kingsport, TN
    Full Name:
    Lawrence A. Coppari
    #3 Lawrence Coppari, Jun 20, 2009
    Thanks Steve. I have used a Sanden compressor for years as a replacement for the Nippon on another car. I does just fine. So it looks like there is nothing to worry about.
     

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