I am getting ready to change out the water pump on my Ram Van 01 3.9L Have the pump and belt and ready to go. It is leaking and is very noisy. What have you guys found is the best way to tackle this ? It seems that the AC lines are in the way on top. Is it possible to take the upper half of the fan shroud off or does it have to come out as a unit because it seems like a really tight fit. Almost forgot... what size is the fan nut 36mm ? Thanks

 

Disconnect the electrical from the A/C compressor and unbolt the unit. You can then swing it forward to give you more clearance without disconnecting the lines. The shroud is one piece. I have found it to be much easier to change the pump if you remove the radiator and fan, then take the shroud right out of there. This opens up the whole front of the motor and makes changing the pump a piece of cake. If the A/C lines are in the way of removing the radiator, you can slide the radiator down instead of pulling it up. Just watch out that the tranny cooling lines don't dig into it.