silly water pump question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 12, 2023 | 11:25 AM

ddan

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 82

Likes: 3

silly water pump question

Haven't replaced pump in 20 years. I've tried turning the nut in both directions with a lot of force. Before I risk melting the plastic fan and/or aluminum pulley with the torch, is it CCW or CW to remove? (facing front of engine. Engine turns CW.)

Feb 12, 2023 | 02:43 PM

ddan

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 82

Likes: 3

I usually use the Ford shop manual. I forgot I had a Chilton's, which can be more helpful to shade tree mechanics.

Anyway, it is reverse thread. (Thank you, Chilton's!) I didn't use a torch. I used an old serpentine that I adapted to a large aluminum strap wrench. I slid a "cheater" rectangular steel tube over a large Crescent wrench and it finally gave in.
What started as a squeaky power steering belt led to me replacing the serpentine. Then I overtightened the power steering belt which f'd up the pump bearing. Fluid probably leaked down so that gas pressure built up and blew the pump gasket. The pump impeller machined away the housing from about 10:00 to 2:00.

Time to check out Rockauto.

Feb 12, 2023 | 03:31 PM

xlt4wd90

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 7,014

Likes: 207

From: SoCal

It depends on the rotation of the pump. Usually the nut tightens in the opposite of rotation direction, so the rotation will naturally tighten the nut. So if the water pump turns CCW (as in the 4.0L), the nut tightens CW. If the water pump turns CW (as in 3.0L), the nut tightens CCW.

Feb 12, 2023 | 03:39 PM

ddan

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 82

Likes: 3

pump is only $8.92 at Rockauto w/no core and includes gasket

shipping is more than the pump: $12

Feb 14, 2023 | 06:19 AM

Jose A.

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 1,460

Likes: 6

From: Florida

the Fan nut loosens towards the RIGHT, counter to logic. Autozone rents a fan nut removal tool set.

Feb 14, 2023 | 02:04 PM

ddan

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 82

Likes: 3

No need for special tool if you remove fan first before doing anything else. In other words: DO NOT remove belts before putting a wrench to the nut. Before consulting Chilton's, I got flustered wrenching the wrong way. So I thought it would be easier on the bench. It wasn't. Good thing I kept the old serpentine. Using a serpentine with the strap wrench handle as I described above will stretch the serpentine. Not good for it.

Feb 22, 2023 | 12:34 PM

ddan

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 82

Likes: 3

Now I'm laughing. Pump took a week to arrive and I gave the silicone a couple days to cure before refilling coolant. After reinstalling the fan shroud I notice for the first time, "REVERSE THREAD ON FAN CLUTCH" in raised letters on top of the shroud. Maybe I need to paint the letters so they catch my eye next time!

Now it's time to fix the collapsed passenger side frame rail. Tricky lifting the body, but at least I won't have to worry about leaking seals or gaskets!