AC Compressor - Good?
 

OK, I'm fine with most of my 1981 300D's workings, but I know next to nothing about AC. There, I finally am able to face reality.

Anyway, my compressor 'spins freely' and I'm told that's a no-no. Seems like no resistance at all. I can buy from a local parter - exact match, etc. It spins, but with resistance. I'm told that's the way it should be.

And the question is: how much spinning resistance on the compressor is acceptable?

Are you actually turning the compressor shaft or just spinning the pulley with the clutch disengaged?

Spinning the pulley with belt off for both my car and the prospective donor car, engine off.

I would imagine that (with the clutch disengaged) it should spin freely, without resistance. Think about it: why would you have resistance, putting extra load on the engine, when the AC isn't on? I would think that the clutch would have to be engaged to get any kind of resistance...just my .02

In that case, almost no resistance is a good thing. Try engaging the clutch. Or rotate the shaft by turning the plate on the front of the pulley.