500 Cadillac - Has anyone ever bypassed the AC?

I've got a 1976 Caddy DeVille with the 500 and getting this motor ready for my 1960 Buick Electra. The AC pump is making a funny noise and I was wondering if anybody has ever by passed the AC with a belt straight to the Power Steering Pump. I'm really wondering if there is clearance because of how low the water pump is. Any advice would be awesome.

 

Have you first unplugged the [electric] AC pump's pulley clutch to see if just disabling the pump gets rid of the noise?

 

yes just put on a shorter belt... works fine.

 

Thanks to both of you. I did try the Plug and the noise was the same. I'll be replacing the belt today.