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how do i remove the clutch fan from my '98 chevy ...

Sent to Car Experts March 18 2006 at 9:31 AM
   

how do i remove the clutch fan from my '98 chevy silverado w/ vortek 5.7?

Optional Information:
1998 Chevrolet silverado 5.7 vortek

Already Tried:
not much; wrench...how do you keep the pulley/pump from turning?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
Answer
March 18 2006 at 10:37 AM (1 hour and 5 minutes and 48 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

There is a shaft from the water pump to which a special wrench will fit over. The wrenches you can usually borrow/rent from an AutoZone or Advanced Auto store for this purpose (they are very narrow), once you have the wrench on it you can stop it from rotating when you are removing the bolts to the fan clutch. The problem is that ordinary wrenches sometimes will not work because space between the water pump and fan clutch can be to narrow for a standard size wrench to fit in-between. I have a wrench kit for F150's that comes with four different size wrenches for the fan clutch removal dpending of the year of the truck.

Fan clutch wrench picture below:
Images available only to Customers.

5.7 Removal Below:

  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

  2. Remove the radiator fan shroud.

  3. Remove the drive belt, if necessary.

  4. Remove the four fan clutch-to-water pump pulley nuts and lift out the fan/clutch assembly.

Images available only to Customers.
Fig. 1: Engine fan and clutch assembly-gasoline engines


Images available only to Customers.
Fig. 2: Remove the four fan clutch-to-water pump pulley nuts and lift out the fan/clutch assembly


  1. Remove the fan clutch bolts and separate the fan from the clutch.

To install:

  1. Install the fan on the fan clutch and tighten the bolts to 17 ft. lbs. (23 Nm).

  2. Position the fan/clutch assembly on the water pump pulley. Tighten the nuts to 18 ft. lbs. (24 Nm).

  3. Install the fan shroud.

  4. Connect the battery cable.





Edited by bubbles69 on March 18 2006 at 10:58 AM
asmith -- home garage mechanic -- 100% Positive Feedback on 28 Car Accepts
repaires many jeeps, toyotas and nissans.
Reply
March 19 2006 at 5:45 AM (19 hours and 7 minutes and 49 seconds later)
         
Reply to asmith's Post: Wrong engine assembly shown. I have serpentine belt bulley (smooth side). The wrench needs to be appx 1 1/2". How do I turn this large hex shaft off the pump?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
March 19 2006 at 7:39 AM (1 hour and 54 minutes and 24 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
A 36mm wrench will work too, sorry I was stuck in Ford mode earlier. To remove the cluth fan assembly, use a large wrench, just keep in mind if it is left hand or right hand threads, you may want to have an extra person help hold the pulley from turning on you, usually tapping on the wrench with a hammer is the only way it will loosen or break the nut free.

I see two different fan clutch assemblies for that truck depending on your options, from after market parts it shows the clutch having left hand threads and counter clockwise rotation. Do you have the part already, if so look at the direction of the threads using your thumb nail as guide against the threads.




Edited by bubbles69 on March 19 2006 at 7:40 AM
asmith -- home garage mechanic -- 100% Positive Feedback on 28 Car Accepts
repaires many jeeps, toyotas and nissans.
Reply
March 19 2006 at 1:08 PM (5 hours and 28 minutes and 23 seconds later)
         
Reply to asmith's Post: I assume there is a threaded shaft on the water pump that this fan clutch assembly screws onto? I guess I could buy the reman pump to find out, then take the core back to get credit. I usually try to bring the old parts in so I can make sure the new parts are right.

Looks like the 4 bolts simply hold the pulley onto the pump; but the pulley won't come off til the fan clutch is off, right? Or, was it just stuck? I mean, does this big hex adapter thread onto the water pump shaft?

Geez I should go buy a Chiltons.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
March 19 2006 at 3:13 PM (2 hours and 4 minutes and 47 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
standard fan clutch for vortec with air, reverse rotation.

Images available only to Customers.


fan clucth for vortec with air and heavy duty tow pkg, reverse rotation.

Images available only to Customers.


It is threaded on to it.
Here is an example of the pump:
Images available only to Customers.



Worse case scenario if it will not break loose and you have the shroud out of the way (available clearance) you might be able to pull it off from the pump back then work on it in a vice. From my past experience working on a tahoe with same motor there is not much room to get to the bolts on the pump and the small short hose can be frustrating to get off the pump with the fan still attached. The reason I made the statement about the aftermarket parts is there is always a chance they have the wrong part or part number listed in their book. I run into the problem allot with starters and electrical parts for foriegn and domestic models, so those items I will go direct to a dealer for.


Edited by bubbles69 on March 19 2006 at 4:04 PM
asmith -- home garage mechanic -- 100% Positive Feedback on 28 Car Accepts
repaires many jeeps, toyotas and nissans.
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