Tom1200
Tom1200 PowerDork
3/26/24 11:06 a.m.

While inspecting the Foxbody Mustang I noticed the fan clutch is wobbly. It's an easy fix but should I do the water pump as well?

My thought is the wobbly fan clutch may have beat up the pump shaft bearings / bushing.

L5wolvesf
L5wolvesf Dork
3/26/24 11:25 a.m.

I would while in there as preventative maintenance. Do you know the age of the current pump?

Tom1200
Tom1200 PowerDork
3/26/24 11:25 a.m.

In reply to L5wolvesf :

No clue on the pump.

z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
3/26/24 11:28 a.m.

Yep, I'd go ahead and do the pump since you will be there. 

iansane
iansane GRM+ Memberand Dork
3/26/24 11:48 a.m.

Is the fan clutch wobbly or is the waterpump shaft wobbly? Either way, I would replace pump.

Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter)
Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) SuperDork
3/26/24 12:49 p.m.

I'm going to be the lone dissenter here. I wouldn't replace the pump unless I could feel play in it. I agree, the wobbly fan clutch did the pump no favors. But, the water pump on a small block Ford uses those long bolts through the timing cover and gaskets sandwiched in there. I'd leave sleeping dogs lie on this one until prompted to do otherwise. I've dealt with enough of those rusty SBF pump bolts and leaky timing covers to change my mind. Ordinarily I'd be the first guy to change a pump proactively if it were a Chevrolet or something.

Toyman!
Toyman! GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
3/26/24 12:50 p.m.

The last water pump I did on a 302 took 5 hours. Every single accessory on the front of the engine was bolted to it and had to be removed. If that's the case, I'd take my chances and just change the pulley. 

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