Okay, this is probably super easy/obvious, but do I need a special tool for removing the fan clutch from a 1988 22re? I can see the (4) bolts holding the clutch to the water pump pulley, but when I try to loosen those, the pulley spins.

I did a bunch of searching and I think this is so obvious that it's never mentioned, but since I'm an ultra-newbie, it's unclear to me. In my searching I noticed I found - do I need this or something similar?

 

Its just the 4-10mm nuts holding it on.

If you have a pair of channel locks you could try holding the shaft where it goes forward to the fan itself and loosening them. Might lay a towel over the shaft before putting the pliers to it.

 

Hey bro welcome to YotaTech - I currently have my 94 in the garage and getting ready to rip into the timing cover. I can't remember any problems getting the clutch off. You might want to try spraying the bolt heads w some sort of penetrant - PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, etc...and let it sit a day. I think I just held on to the blades and wrenched the bolts out with a 1/4" rachet. Let me know if you have any other questions....good luck.

 

I normally use a rag and stuff it in the pulley under the belt. If the belt is still on)

 

someone may have used locktite, if so a little heat will help, for stuff where i need to avaoid say...metling a fan blade or a belt i have a tiny butane pen torch...like 4 bucks at harbor freight, heat the bolt head up, the heat will transfer down the bolt and the bolt will come free with a pop.

 

Hit the gym!





get a second 10mm wrench to hold one of the other four nuts as you break them loose.


I've (sadly) taken mine off several times and never had an issues getting them off. I think I may have grabbed the fan/clutch assembly while I wrenched on those tiny nuts but I can't really remember.


Good luck!

 

Try stuffing a ring in between the pulley in the belt and use a jerking motion on the wrench.

 

Wow, thanks to everyone for the quick advice on this one! I'm going to be in the garage tonight and will try these methods. I'll post back with the result.

 

Got it off! My channel locks weren't big enough (though I'm sure that would have worked), didn't have a 2nd 10mm wrench (sure that would have worked too) and I'm pretty sure they were a little rusty (also didn't have any P.B. Blaster). Just when I was about to drive 25 minutes to the Auto store to get what I needed, I gave it one more try. I ended up pushing the alternator belt tight against the water pump pulley which was just enough pressure to prevent it from spinning as a loosened the nuts and they pretty much came right off.

Thanks again for the help and happy new year!