Well, on my adventure to fix my manual to auto swap check engine light, I managed to 'break' the water pump. My old fan and clutch won't come off no matter what I do, so I was curious on if the truck is fine to drive without one. I don't plan on towing really heavy in the mean time....

Any insight is appreciated!

 

Others have on cool days without incident. How often did you ever hear your fan clutch lock up? Highway driving on a hot day here in AZ the only time my fan would lock up is towing a 5k boat up a grade, so if you're not towing shouldn't be a problem. Stop and go would be another matter. If you have an aftermarket coolant temp gauge just keep and eye on it. I wouldn't trust the stock gauge.

 

My cooling fan was somewhat noisy during the summer or heavy towing. Stop and go it was only on from a stop, but once the truck was moving, it was all good and quiet. I have the stock gauge only but as you mentioned, it isn't worth trusting due to the wide range of 'OK' temp values. I ended up buying a new fan and fan clutch, then noticed when my wrench slipped, I dug a hole in my radiator. What a fun day.

 

Damn Tyler,one thing after another today.With this arctic front we are getting you would have been fine but I think you are doing the right thing by fixing it.

 

Yeah, that stock gauge is COLD, WARM & TOO FRIGGIN LATE.

I've had my share of "Shot myself in the foot" days. Hope you can fix rather than replace that rad.

 

I've had days like that.

 

Well, I am glad yesterday is over. Managed to replace the radiator as four of the tube/fins were ripped open, and the fan as well and then I realized the 90* outlet wouldn't fit the new hose I trimmed up. Learned not to use red loctite unless I don't want the parts to be permanently attached. But hey, at least I have a new coolant (which I just changed a few weeks ago as well). What fun, but at least the truck is running well now.

 

I hope you get some smooth sailing in calm waters for awhile, but it's always something.

Lke Rosanne Rosanadana (Gilda Radner character on SNL) used to say "If it's not one thing it's another".