Drive a 4.6 with a bad AC compressor?

Currently my TC has working AC but in my past I have had AC systems go bad and most of the time I had no money and did not want to fix an expensive system on a 12 year old car, so I would unbolt the belt, etc. The newer cars use a single piece serpentine belt which creates some limits on this compared to the older V-8's with the separate belts for each component.

It is my understanding that the AC compressor uses an internal bearing that activates when using the AC, and the compressor clutch is a separate external unit that rotates when the engine is running and not using the AC, or at least most of the time, when cycling on and off.

The nice thing with the Ford 4.6 is you could remove the AC compressor and use a shorter belt, or put on a Dorman pulley, but I am wondering if in a worse case scenario should the compressor bearing go, could a person just replace the AC external clutch bearing periodically as it goes bad and just drive and drive, not use the AC but roll down the windows?

Thanks.

Currently my TC has working AC but in my past I have had AC systems go bad and most of the time I had no money and did not want to fix an expensive system on a 12 year old car, so I would unbolt the belt, etc. The newer cars use a single piece serpentine belt which creates some limits on this compared to the older V-8's with the separate belts for each component.

It is my understanding that the AC compressor uses an internal bearing that activates when using the AC, and the compressor clutch is a separate external unit that rotates when the engine is running and not using the AC, or at least most of the time, when cycling on and off.

The nice thing with the Ford 4.6 is you could remove the AC compressor and use a shorter belt, or put on a Dorman pulley, but I am wondering if in a worse case scenario should the compressor bearing go, could a person just replace the AC external clutch bearing periodically as it goes bad and just drive and drive, not use the AC but roll down the windows?

Thanks.

The AC Compressor not only cools the car in the summer, it also dehumidifies in the winter when using the Defroster.

I had a 1986 Corvette with a bit of a noisy AC Compressor and as I never used the AC, (why would I when the top came off?) I just unplugged it. The Defrost still worked fine of course as it still blew warm air on the windshield. There was a time when cars didn't come standard with AC and we managed to still defrost the windshield.