I'm changing out the water pump on my '97 Dodge Ram 1500 (5.9 liter) and wondering what clutch fan tool people are using? (ie. one with spanner pins spaced at 4 1/4")

I purchased the Lisle 44180 Fan Clutch spanner wrench ahead of the job, but it doesn't appear it's the one. Noting there are two sets of pins on this tool, one pair spaced at 2 1/2", the others at 3".
Just to note, the factory water pump was still on the truck, which (for those who may not know) does not have holes for spanner wrench pins, the pump pulley is bolted (with 4 bolts) to the pump. Easy enough to remove the fan by placing a screw driver across two opposite bolts to hold the pulley, then using a (36mm) wrench on the large clutch fan bolt.
Anyway, looking at the replacement water pumps (even the OEM Mopar pump, PN# 53021018) the pulleys are not bolted as original, and a spanner wrench will be needed to reassemble the clutch fan. HENCE the need for a spanner wrench. If anyone can confirm the hole spacing on an OEM (replacement pump as shown below) please let me know. I believe this spacing is 4 1/4" based on measuring an ACDelco (PN# DEL 252-1025) replacement pump.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Kevin

 

I used a pry bar and big channel locks

 

When I did mine, I just put everything on the front of the engine together, including the serpentine belt...... threaded the fan on, and just let the belt hold the pulley in place. Fan stayed on.

 

You can find the tool at any oreillys. I've also used a bug wrench and hammer.

 

I've got a set of diesel fan wrenches and it uses the smaller one. I think it's 1 1/4. If I get time and think about it tomorrow, I measure it.

 

Usually all you need is a large adjustable wrench and a BFH to get it off and on. Serp belt needs to be on.

 

I measured my wrench set. It looks to be 1 3/8. It's the long one in the picture.

 

Thanks for the replies. Maybe I wasn't clear in my original post, I'm looking for what SPANNER TOOL with pin spacing of 4 1/4", not the large (36mm) wrench for the clutch fan nut.
I had no difficulty getting the (36mm) nut loose, again noting the original water pump pulley was BOLT on. Most of the replacement water pumps have PRESS on pulleys (and holes for a spanner wrench) that's why
I'm looking for what spanner wrench people may have used to hold the pulley while replacing the clutch fan.

Also noting, I've seen many references to use the Lisle 44180 spanner tool, but it has pin spacings of 2 1/2" and 3"............ but the hole spacing on the pump pulley is 4 1/4" (center to center).

If I don't find the proper spanner tool, then I'll go ahead and use a strap wrench (or belt in place to hold) but I'm holding out hopes I'll find one. Yes, there are spanner tools out there that are 'adjustable', but that comes back to my question, if someone has used one, I'd be interested to know of one that did work.

Thanks again,

Kevin

 

The one I used I rented at Advance Auto but my last time there they had one where you have to put bolts into the holes (didn't supply the bolts) and it had two hooks that hooked the bolts

 

Get piece of flat stock, wide one. Grind recess for the pump hub, drill couple of holes and insert bolts through. Mount to the pulley and tighten the fan clutch.

Or, insert long bolt through the pulley hole, and use crow bar to hold the pulley while you tighten the fan clutch.