On my T-Bird I want to replace the water pump gasket. First I have to remove the radiator shroud. Must I remove the radiator too? The shroud is very deep/large. It looks as though if I remove the radiator I still couldn't get the shroud out to allow me the space necessary to remove the water pump??? Thanks for any input.

 

I've never owned a T-Bird, but on every other vehicle I've owned (Mazda, Toyota, Ford trucks) you can remove the shroud without removing the radiator. If you have a crank fan, though, you will need to remove that to pull the shroud all the way out. You can usually "borrow" those tools from Autozone, Kragen's or the like.

 

Loosen the fan and clutch asy from the water pump, lay the fan asy gently down in the shroud, unbolt the shroud and pull them both out at the same time using 2 hands. One on the fan asy and one on the shroud. You might need to remove the upper rad hose first for clearance for the shroud, I don't recall.

If you're doing the water pump, consider removing the radiator to reduce the risk of damage while working in that area. There's plenty of room with the radiator in place, but a dropped part or tool can really ruin your day.

 

You don’t say what year T-Bird it is, but I have major experience on my wife’s 86. These things eat water pumps. I have put five on mine in the last 23 years. The easiest and fastest way is to unbolt the two top bolts on the shroud, take the upper radiator hose off. Pull up on the shroud to unsnap the bottom clips and set the shroud back over the fan. This gives you clearance to get the radiator out. Take the radiators bottom hose loose at the radiator and take the two-radiator hold down bolts and hold downs off. Now the hard part is taking the tranny cooler lines loose from the radiator. (This is the hardest part of the procedure)

Once you get the tranny cooler lines off you can lift the radiator out of the car and pull the shroud off. Next replace the water pump. Believe me, I have done the water pump procedure several times and this is the fastest and easiest way to get that darn shroud off. Otherwise you will have cuts all over your hands and possibly radiator damage.