Fan Clutch problems
 

Ok, my fan clutch is shot. I purchased a new one and the fan clutch removal tool from Advanced Auto parts. The tool doesnt fit the original fan clutch nut but it does fit the replacement one. Any tips for getting the old one off?? The tool that I bought says its 1 7/16 or 37mm. I assume the original nut is 38mm?? Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks!

napa lists a 36 or a 40mm hex nut. try a pipe wrench or some big channel locks or vice grips or something

Yeah, you need thin wrenches.

Ford Dealers and Auto Parts Stores sell the set for the Ford 4.9L Fan Clutch,
I used 430 Channel Lok Pliers and a pipe wrench, I think
or two pair of 430 channel lok pliers (aka Channel Lock Pliers) to remove my 87
4.9L Fan Clutch.

My largest open-end wrench is 1-1/4" and that was not near wide enough being 1-1/4" is approximately 30 to 31mm.

If you can borrow a 1-1/2" or 1-7/16" open-end wrench from someone, well that just might fit?

Remember it has Right-Hand "Standard" Threads or in other words,
the fan clutch nut will turn Counter-Clockwise to REMOVE it.

Once you break the nut loose, it will unscrew easily counter-clockwise,
it's heavy and will fall to the ground if you are not careful.

Hope this helps!

When I changed mine on my '95, I had a tap the tool on with a hammer. It was a pretty tight fit. If I have to do it again, I'll just buy the tool, instead of renting it, and modify it with my grinder.

So everyone here knows, the water pump and fan clutch design changed somewhere along the way. My '87 does have room for channel locks or an adjustable wrench maybe, but the later ones it was changed and the clutch is so close to the water pump that you need the special thin wrench.

Ok so after some trial and error, I found out that I have the 40mm fan clutch versus the normal 36mm fan clutch. So I attempted to rent the 40mm fan clutch tool from Auto Zone and the damn wrench doesnt fit it. The nut on the new fan clutch measures out to be 41.252mm hence why the 40mm fan clutch tool will not work. I took some bolts off of the clutch to make room for a standard size wrench but I just do not have enough room between the fan clutch and the waterpump pulley! This is turning into the nightmare job. Has ANYONE run into this issue and if so what did you do to remove the damn OE fan clutch??? I am running out of time and I dont want to take it into a mechanic cause its not a complicated job, I just cant get the damn thing off! PLEASE HELP!

Thanks again!

You got a grinder? Make the wrench bigger.

My '91 without the belt on I can get channel locks down in there around the fan shroud too. When I replaced my water pump, I couldn't get that clutch nut off either. I just too the whole water pump with the fan and such bolted to it to a shop and they were nice enough to break the hold rust had on the bolt.