Hey y'all,
Any tips on getting a fan clutch removed that has a rounded nut? I'm in the process of pulling the 4.6 out since it's overheating.
Looks like someone used a large adjustable monkey wrench on this to break it loose in the past. I've attempted using the rental tools from Advance Auto but the 36mm wrench doesn't hold and just slips around the sides of the nut.
Since i'm not going to be re-using the engine I've considered taking a saw zaw and cutting the fan clutch off. If someone re-uses the engine they'd probably get a new water pump anyways.
Thanks for the help!

 

That nut doesn't look too bad, if you have the right wrench. When I tried the Advance Auto fan clutch tool it was mis-sized/mis-marked. I picked up a correctly-sized fan clutch wrench at Northern Tool for ~$15 that works much better. (In other words, it actually works.) If you're in Blacksburg there's a Northern Tool between Salem and Roanoke.

 

Thanks for the reply. Hard to capture the edges with a photo but it is actually rounded off really bad on most of the sides. I'll try picking up a new fan clutch wrench. I agree with you, it'll probably hold better than the one I rented.

If that doesn't work, go with the saw zaw method?

 

Well if it is not rusted on you could try shimming the wrench a bit, and give it a sharp whack with a hammer once it moves it will just spin off Just use some old pop/beer cans and wrap the wrench arms - one side should be enough
I use a big open end wrench myself it is just easier.

 

Pipe wrench?

 

Oddly I have had great luck using a husky 12" adjustable wrench. It's and my dead.blow are magic for breaking a fan loose

 

 

Get a long (about twelve inch) chisel/punch and hammer, and blast that lobe of the nut on the passengers side downward. Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey (while looking at the water pump from the front of vehicle). Give it about three/four "l hate this f'n rover" wacks on that lobe and she should break loose. Or better yet, if you have an air hammer...use that with a chisel bit on that same side. If it doesn't come off with that....keep air hammering it until the fan nut splits in two.

Brian.