Just checked the play in the water pump shaft/pulley, and found about 2-3mm play up and down. New water pump, I guess. Well at least I'll be able to take back the $115 fan clutch (only after everything is on and just right to make sure) . Thanks guys! It'll take me a day or so to get the parts and do the job. I'll let you know...

 

my f150 big 6 was making a noise from that area and like you i thought fan clutch.

before i got to it it threw the belt off some and started chewing it up.

when i took belt off my water pump moved a couple off cm, like yours does.

no weeping but definitly a bad beariing in th pump.

i ended up leaving fan and clutch off and putting in an electric fan from a taurus.

tell us when you get it all back together.

 

First of all, I'd like to send out a BIG thank you to everyone on FTE for helping me with this issue. It was the water pump all along. JerrySimm, the movement I felt must have been in the water pump because with the old fan clutch and new water pump, there is no more movement. My bad. With my belt removed I did check all of my other pulleys to make sure they were OK and they were fine. Thanks for that tip, MazdaRangerGuyInSTL. And thank you, quicklook2, for the advice on the water pump. It saved me $120 from putting on a new fan clutch, only to find it still had the knocking.
Just a few tips to anyone else that is going to change out their water pump:
1. Check your hoses ahead of time (esp. the water bypass hose $10) to see if they look like they will be hard to take off and purchase the replacement hoses, just in case. My bypass hose wasn't deteriorated but it had shrunk quite a bit, making it almost impossible to get it off in one piece and I had to just cut it off.
2. Check all of the bolts to make sure you won't need a deep socket to get it off. I had to call a friend to pick up one from the parts store.
3. Have RTV sealant on hand for the gasket.
You all saved me about $500, so again, THANK YOU!!!!!

 

glad i helped save you money.

great that it is all fixed and good for another 100k at least.

 

Well the first one lasted me 140,000 and I think I'll look into an electric fan to take off some of the weight from the water pump. That fan clutch is heavy!

 

my f150 without the fan clutch, starts quieter, warms up quicker, better gas mileage and it seems just a bit peppier.

i used a taurus fan from 1995 era for a 3.8.

i have not had to turn it on once in the month since i put it in, of course i am in ohio.

in the spring i am putting one in my 94 explorer and putting in better wiring and a thermostat switch but keeping the on/off switch for instant cooling.