can i operate vehicle with ac clutch removed (2001 ford mustang)

[jaymerjaymer]

howdy
am in the process of replacing clutch.
mechanical failure is causing it to rub pully/make friction.
so i removed it.
pully & belt fine. compressor not locked up.

pully still has the snap ring, so i'm wondering if the clutch is mandatory for operation of engine?
can or will the pully come off without the clutch (and bolt) in place?

thx

[tbirdtbird]

Sounds like you removed the AC fan belt temporarily.
You can replace the belt for now with a shorter belt, and bypass the AC pulley. The operation of the AC compressor has nothing to do with the running of the engine.

[jaymerjaymer]

i only removed the clutch.
pulley/belt still as normal.
runs fine.

need to drive temporarily while waiting on a new clutch.

[GM Tech]

Drive it!!!

[DetroitAC]

You can drive it indefinitely without the clutch plate. The compressor pulley is an idler pulley.

[jaymerjaymer]

thx !