Replace pulley when switching to electric fan?

[Jackson's Dad 64 C10]

We are working on the LY6 that’s going into my son’s ‘64, and I just had a thought. I removed the mechanical fan from the water pump pulley (that was an adventure!), and we are planning on electric fans for a bit of extra clearance. I have searched this a bunch of different ways, but can’t find a good answer... Do I need to swap the water pump pulley out, or is it good to go? I’m not sure if the nut between the fan clutch and the pulley is what retains the pulley, or if it is secured some other way. I obviously don’t want the pulley to come flying off while the engine is running. That would make for a bad day. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Chris

[First c10]

Hey Chris
The water pump pulley is pressed on and is not removable without special tools. The pulley should be good to go as is.
Scott

[Jackson's Dad 64 C10]

Perfect. Thanks Scott. One less thing running through my mind when we get to the first fire up.

[LS short box]

If you really concerned you could get a newer water pump that didn't have a mechanical fan. But having said that I just looked at a 2010 6.2 water pump and it looks like the end of the pulley is threaded not the water pump shaft.

[kipps]

I agree, just run what you have.

I tore down a 2010 Tahoe with electric fans. The factory(presumed) water pump had the threaded snout for a clutch fan, even though it wasn't needed.

[Jackson's Dad 64 C10]

Just a quick update on the fan removal. I picked up the only pulley holder tool that I could find locally. It had a hole for a 1/2” breaker bar, but I couldn’t manage to keep the little pins in the pulley while I beat on my pipe wrench with a 5 lb maul. I ended up cutting a slot in a 4’ length of iron pipe, and welded the tool into the pipe. That let me brace the pulley holder against the floor. A few snacks like I was mad at it, and I got it broken free. Now that I know that the pulley pressed on and not going anywhere, on to the rest of the engine tasks.

[truckdude239]

Originally Posted by Jackson's Dad 64 C10

Just a quick update on the fan removal. I picked up the only pulley holder tool that I could find locally. It had a hole for a 1/2” breaker bar, but I couldn’t manage to keep the little pins in the pulley while I beat on my pipe wrench with a 5 lb maul. I ended up cutting a slot in a 4’ length of iron pipe, and welded the tool into the pipe. That let me brace the pulley holder against the floor. A few snacks like I was mad at it, and I got it broken free. Now that I know that the pulley pressed on and not going anywhere, on to the rest of the engine tasks.

i have same tool i broke down and bought the fan wrenchs that go on my air hammer no more having to hold pulley