I'm getting setup to do the plenum kit from Hughes. The DIY says to remove the fan and shroud. I searched and there are some that say do and some that say don't. I generally lean towards less dismantling because I always seem to break something when I do. Can anyone that's done this job with the fan on tell me that they regretted it? Is there a good reason to take it off that I'm missing? I'm not a really big guy, but I don't know that I can fit really comfortably between the radiator and the block.

This is a big project for me and I expect to learn a lot, but I also know that I don't need to jump off a bridge to learn that I can't fly, somebody else learned that one the hard way, no need to repeat it. I'm looking for somebody that's done this before to keep me from learning this the hard way. I appreciate the advice.

 

I didn't have a strap wrench to hold the pulley still to unbolt the fan, so i left it. Idon't beleiveI would have been able to fit between the engine and the rad, so I didn't deem it nessecary. I didn't run into any issues with it being in the way. It doesn't leave you alot of extra room when removing some of the bracket bolts on the front, but nothing that wasn'tmanagable. I just found myself kneeing on the bumper and laying across the rad lots.

 

if your a little dude.. then it might be a good idea to remove it so you can stand between the motor and the rad.. made it ALOT easier and more comfortable doing the job.

then again if your a bigger dude like myself.. then its a tight fit and might not be so comfortable with the threads of the waterpump pully jammin into your junk

 

Big = fat?