I am looking for a third party setup like Exact Air, or Vintage Air, which company does a better job of fitting in the dash.
Saw this post today and thought I'd add my 2-cents for your info or anyone else who has this same question...
So here's an update to the installation of Classic Auto Air (CAA) after running the new engine and A/C over the first summer (2015) I wasn't happy with the compressor belt set up. As seen in the picture I "had" a 2-groove crank pulley, which CAA says is ok to run the Alternator and the Compressor on the same belt. (outer groove on crank pulley) The inner groove powered the water pump and the power steering pump.
The alternator/compressor belt was too long and the angle only provided 7 o'clock to 11 o'clock contact with my alternator pulley. The AC compressor mount would actually flex/move slightly as the belt was tightened. When the engine revved, the belt would visibly bunch up at the alternator. It would eventually slip which would require retightening. This process resulted in 2 broken belts.
I didn't like the look of the stock Ford AC brackets, which would provide a mount for a idler pulley but I did like the idea of using a 3 groove crank pulley with an idler pulley to run an outer belt around the water pump (not powering the water pump) to the compressor and back down to the crank. The Ford mount which reaches out and makes use of the threaded bosses available in the water pump also stiffens the compressor mount. (through triangulation) I fabricated my own bracket to mount an idler pulley to accomplish this but not to look bulky and cover the left front of my engine, as the Ford mount does. A few Heim adjustable joints stiffened this set up as well as an extended mounting tab over to the alternator bracket mount.
Works perfect and I think it looks much better than the factory setup. It's now Almost December of 2016, 5,000 miles on it and no thrown belts. CAA system works terrific with this custom idler mount.
Outer crank groove now only powers the compressor.
Middle crank groove now only powers the alternator.
Inner crank pulley powers water pump and power steering pump.
Factory compressor/bracket look (not my engine bay, just a pic of the "stock look") Notice how the stock bracket covers everything up from the compressor all the way over to the thermostat housing...
Belt routing suggested by CAA with a 2-groove crank pulley (threw 2 belts in 2 weeks) Notice this setup (my engine bay just after installing CAA's system), which does not include an idler pulley. I like the look much better but not at the cost of poor performance, ever.
Original mock up for idler pulley bracket. 2 bolt holes available on water pump to mount a custom idler pulley bracket which wouldn't block the view of the engine...
Wooden bracket mock up, #2, for final positioning, shaping and better aesthetics...
Final bracket prior to paint...
Installed.
High quality pulley.