Yet another 3.0 fan clutch question

[pentode]

I have a 2005 Ranger 3.0 with the classic stuck fan clutch. The problem in my case is that the bolts that hold the pulley on are inside the dish of the pulley (I gather the older ones had the bolts exposed behind the pulley) so there's no way to get a tool onto them and there's nothing else to grab onto. I've broken the strap on a fiberglass-reinforced strap wrench holding the pulley (had to be well over 100 ft-lbs of torque on that) and I've tried wedging a big screwdriver/chisel between the water pump and pulley to hold it while I whack the wrench with a big hammer- not even a hint of movement.

Short of destroying something, are there any tricks left I can try? And if destruction is inevitable, is there a preferred method for blowing it up? Figured I better ask the experts before I bust any more knuckles or tear out the rest of the hair I have left.

 

[RobbieD]

My preferred method for unscrewing the fan clutch from the water pump is to use a blunt-tip brass rod placed on the clutch's flange and rapping it smartly with a hammer in the needed direction. The pulley belt(s) should be in place. The impact seems to be the key.

Needless to say, first VERIFY the correct direction the clutch needs to turn in order to loosen it.

 

[bhgl]

Just to cover all the bases, the clutch fan's main bolt is right hand threaded, meaning it goes the opposite way of most bolts.

I just removed the clutch fan through the screw driver method, it should work. I had to use two screw drivers heavily hammered either side of the water pump pulley, to get it done.

Afterwards my belt was squeaking because the pulley had been moved so much it was creating resistance, which I fixed by again stuff a screw driver in alternating sides until it started working properly

Don't forget to use some penetrating fluid on the clutch fan bolt.

If you gotta get destructive, destroy the water pump, they're fairly cheap to replace relatively speaking. I think rock auto has a cheap one with a gasket on clearance for 20 bucks

 

[pentode]

Thanks, I have a bit of reassembly to do that but I think I will give that a shot.
Everything I can find says that that fan clutch is reverse threaded- however lots of people mention that that's printed on the fan shroud somewhere and I can't see that on mine.
I've avoided hitting the water pump too hard as I'm trying to disassemble to find a coolant leak and I was hoping to destroy as little as possible in the process but I guess I'm going to have to commit to some parts either way at this point.

 

[pentode]

Just to cover all the bases, the clutch fan's main bolt is right hand threaded, meaning it goes the opposite way of most bolts.

I just removed the clutch fan through the screw driver method, it should work. I had to use two screw drivers heavily hammered either side of the water pump pulley, to get it done.

Afterwards my belt was squeaking because the pulley had been moved so much it was creating resistance, which I fixed by again stuff a screw driver in alternating sides until it started working properly

Don't forget to use some penetrating fluid on the clutch fan bolt.

If you gotta get destructive, destroy the water pump, they're fairly cheap to replace relatively speaking. I think rock auto has a cheap one with a gasket on clearance for 20 bucks

Sorry your post came in as I was answering the previous one. I did try a screwdriver and chisel hammered in pretty aggressively knowing that I'd probably lose the water pump, but they didn't have enough grab to hold it in place. Maybe I'll get more aggressive (I wlll get more aggressive)

Thanks for the water pump advice, I was already thinking that once I'm in there I might as well change it but around here (Canada) parts aren't cheap. I do use Rock Auto from time to time but shipping is a killer to get it here, sadly. I'm hoping my leak is the timing cover leak because if it's not this will be a lot of money and effort for nothing.

 

[superj]

I do the rod on the nut and whack it towards the way it turns to loosen it, like above