Not sure, but I'm thinking I fubar'd my water pump.
I just removed my clutch fan. Installed an electric fan.

I left the 4 bolts in , which hold the pulley on. However, I have a thunking noise now. I checked the bolts.
They're tight. So I'm kinda baffled WTF is rattling / thunking but it's definitely up front.

My car is cooling with the electric fan, so I'm thinking the water pump is still working, but maybe it's going bad.
I don't really know for sure yet. So I'm just curious if there's a premium water pump consideration here to look into ??

What is the big difference between a waterpump with AC and without ??
New one's there is a $20 higher price on NON-AC waterpumps.

 

Maybe the bolts are too long without the clutch & are hitting the case?

 

Water pump with and without AC vary in the length of the neck. What year is your car? I had a hell of a time getting the right one for a 72 without ac. The part numbers are screwed up somewhere in the aftermarket world.

 

my first thoughts too. also is the new fan shroud flexing or moving under load?

 

It's night time but I took a quick video of it with sound. Sounds like a G-damn diesel.
This JUST STARTED after taking the clutch fan off. Ran fine all year.
I'm wondering if behind the pulley the bolt heads are hitting something as it spins now.

Before anyone asks, yes I have oil, and yes I have 40psi oil pressure.
It's almost as if the pulley isn't balanced without the clutch fan on it anymore.

You can clearly see the new electric fan + shroud are not attached to the engine, and they're not on.
It's DEFINITELY something in the engine.

CLICK VIDEO BELOW V V V

 

Is there a special tool needed to remove that front top pulley that's unused ??

Looked like it had an odd retainer nut on it.

 

Those studs in the water pump are not threaded all the way down. You may have the nuts bottomed out, but the pulley not all the way tight.

When I removed my clutch fan, I removed those studs, and put in regular fine thread bolts. If you start stacking washers up, it will be half assed looking.

Also, do you have one of those dust shields on the crank pulley? That could be loose as well if you do.

 

Sure sounds like studs or bolts hitting the ribs of the water pump housing.

- Eric

 

x2

 

Nuts loosened up somehow.
I guess I didn't tighten them all the way and I had a brainfart.
Pulley was a little loose......dead giveaway.

This is my award for yesterdays FAIL'd troubleshooting.