I have a 1996 econoline 250 and i am trying to change the water pump and thermostat. I can not get the bolts off of the thermostat cover and also the fan pully has 4 bolts on it and it keep moving every time i got to lossen it . Any help on how to do this.. i am in need of help everything is still apart.

 

are the belts still on ?
if so , put tension on the belts so the friction stops the pulley from turning

soak all in liquid wrench also

 

Yes belt is still on. Okay so i put thr liquid wrench on and i have it sitting over night . And how could i put tension on the belt because i am trying to hold it and it slips right out of my hands. Is there any place i should hold it.

 

Liquid wrench is good, PB blaster, Kroil, etc. Some swear by transmission fluid and acetone mixed 50/50. Also like to shock the bolts with hammer, or use a propane torch and get them toasty. Give the penetrant time to work, reapply and let set overnight seems to help.

 

Maybe an oil filter wrench or similar tool on the pulley?

If you get one bolt out you can use it to tie a cable or chain to something solid and get the others out.

Good luck,
George

 

typically , I just use my hand and squeeze the belt together at the alternator .

 

Strap wrench works on the belt pulley to hold it tight.

 

It keeps slipping and turning the fan . I used the straps and one broke ..

 

you may need air tools.
hand jobbing isn't working

 

A piece of flat steel , pry bar ... holding 2 bolts will lock the fan to break the nuts loose . Place in front of one behind the next . You now have a lever . You can move the world ......

 

Been watching this thread a few days, also wondered why an impact wasn't used? Instead of being too much a lever and easily overcoming whatever force is trying to hold the outer diameter of the pulley an impact puts its energy into torque on the actual bolt.

 

If this is a 351w good luck. This isn't the hard the hard part is going to be getting the broken bolts out. Then getting everything to seal back up. Might as well buy a new t-stat housing now. Going to need a new water pump bolt kit too.

 

not everyone has air tools

 

True ... some barely have tools at all . I own many thousands of dollars worth of tools . Many do not, and need to work with what they have .

 

That is a good point----as one with "too many tools" it rarely occurs to me everyone who DIY repairs isn't over-loaded on tools---my bad.

Sometimes friends have what we need--always good to ask around.