Is it possible to put on a new radiator fan without taking off the radiator (AGAIN Arrgh)?

I put the radiator in thinking I could just slide the new fan in there later, but it doesn't look like it'll fit anyway I do it...Is there any trick I just don't know about?

 

remove the shroud from the radiator.
the bottom of the shroud should have a removable section that allows you to slide the rest of the shroud up and off.

 

The shroud is out, is still seems like there just ain't enough room to get the thing on the bracket...The blades catch on the bolts...

 

use a long (10mm right?) combination wrench with the 'closed' end on the bolts between the fan and the clutch and the offset towards the firewall?

 

I tried that, but didn't seem like it would break loose...I'll try again

 

those nuts shouldn't be under that much torque. so keep trying.

 

Update...I got it off, finally got the d*** thing back on (I didn't loosen the belts, so it took some finagling to get all the nuts started), ripped the old nuts for the shroud off the old radiator (hurray Visegrips and channel locks) finally got my large hands into enough contortion to get all four bolts of the shroud on, then I started her up. No fan/shroud contact, no wobble, everything looks peachy.

Let it get warm...only to find a steam leak in the top hose from the exploding fan shrapnel from last weekend...I'm off to an auto parts store.

 

I've got everything fixed and working now (drove about 5 hours last weekend)

Can someone tell me what this is?

I put a liberal amount of electrical tape over the holes to seal them up, and it made the engine sound better...to me anyways.

The holes were pulling a vacuum too...



Here's a picture of the exploded fan for your entertainment