I have to replace the waterpump on a 97 tahoe. Are there and suggestions on how to get the fan assembly off the pump itself? Does anyone know the size of the nut on the assembly?

I think I used a 1 7/16 inch wrench, but not positive. You can try a strap wrench on the fan pulley.

Yeah, leave the belt on to help hold the pulley in place and use a strap wrench to unscrew the fan assembly. Good luck.

Al

Yeah, leave the belt on to help hold the pulley in place and use a strap wrench to unscrew the fan assembly. Good luck.

Al

I don't know about using a strap wrench - I bought a special pulley holding tool. I know its late in the game for original post but for those looking to do this job here's what worked for me:

I purchased the pulley hold tool from Oreilly Auto parts store - like $21 something but worth it as this is the most effective way to hold the pulley while you loosen the nut behind. I used a big crecent to turn that nut as it gave me the leverage.

The pulley tool looks like a giant pair of scissors but is design specifically for this engine. It holds onto two of the four mounting bolts on the front of the pulley while you loosen the nut.

I made a pulley holding tool simply by cutting a 16" length of 1/8" steel (I used a piece of old bed rail angle) and drilling two holes at one end, on 1-7/8" centers. I then bolted this on with two of the pulley fastening bolts, and turned the large nut with a crescent wrench.

The 16" length was chosen because that enabled the end of the "holding tool" to bear against the chassis while I used the (12") crescent wrench.

I just replaced the water pump on a '97 for the second time. OEM lasted 76,000 miles. Kragen's chinese (new) only lasted 34,000 but had lifetime guarentee and was replaced free.

Sears strap wrench on the pulley and I used a 10" pipe wrench (plumbing tool) on the fan.

Please note: Carefully re-thread fan after replacing pump. Threads are fine and you DON'T want to cross thread.