Changing out the water pump. Need some help.

[McCool]

Hey guys,

I need some help changing out the water pump on my 97 1500 5.7l. I've changed water pumps before and usually it is a straight forward job but all of the pumps I've changed were standalone pumps whereas the Sierra has the radiator fan attached the the water pump pulley.

I've disconnected the four 10mm bolts that are on the front of the water pump pulley. I figured those were the only things holding the fan on. I tried yanking the fan off with no luck. I gave it a few love taps with a hammer and the thing still won't budge.

on the shaft that connects from the water pump pulley to the fan there is a large nut, I tried loosening it off but it is seized on there real good.

Does that nut need to be loosened before the fan can be disconnected from the water pump? or is there something I am missing?

Thanks.

 

[McCool]

Never mind.
I hooked on some vice grips onto the nut and beat the **** out of it with a hammer and the nut loosened off.

Since I already started the post... Is there anything else that I should keep in mind that will make this job go along faster/easier?

Thanks.