2004 Silverado water pump

[jwhjr]

I'm planning on tackling the water pump this weekend on my truck. I got the pump from NAPA which looks like it has the "upgraded" gaskets. The reason I'm even changing the pump out is that one of the gaskets has started leaking pretty good. I could just put new gaskets on the existing pump, but I figured with 111K on the pump I might as well put a new one on since I have to pull it anyway. I'm also changing the thermostat as well since it's incorporated in the pump housing. The replacement looks to be pretty straightforward, but if anyone has any tips on problem areas of the install they would be appreciated. I did one a few years back on one of the Chevy 5.7's and I think the toughest part was breaking the fan nut loose.

[1968]

The fan will be your biggest obstacle. More so than last time. That one requires a 3 pin spanner wrench to hold the water pump pulley. Might want to see if any part stores rent fan wrenches.

[Jeremy airjer W]

They make a fan tool for the air hammer. Works slick!

[jwhjr]

I talked to the guy who's garage we'll be using (retired mechanic), and he has the tool to remove the fan so it sounds like we should be all set.

[jwhjr]

Replaced the pump today and everything went smoothly. The fan was a breeze to get off. I put a wrench on the nut and smacked it with a 2# hammer and it broke loose without an issue. No leaks that I can find so far, so I think everything went back together correctly . I won't know for sure I guess until the "mess" from pulling the old pump off is all cleared off of everything. All in all not a bad job.

[jwhjr]

Bumping up for related question.