I pulled a leaking radiator out of my '85 Trans Am without removing the fan, but upon installing the new one (OSC 951) I realized that I needed to remove the fan to prevent damage to the fins when installing in the lower fan shroud. My question is, how do I best remove this fan? I've watched YouTube video but they all seem to involve a nut on the shaft which I don't see here. The state of the fan is that it moves freely in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

The four nuts on the water pump side retain that style of fan. Much easier to loosen with the belts in place holding tension on the water pump pulley. The single threaded nut design didn't come until later with the L31 engine.

 

Ok, that makes sense. So I should install the belt on the water pump pulley first, then loosen the four nuts on the water pump side. Got it! Thank you, ratfink6923, for your help!

 

those are nasty lookin pulleys. ive never seen rust like that in them.
but besides that, go buy a new fan thermostat as well.
if youre going to have the fan off, and replacing the radiator, a new fan clutch is a real good thing to change now while its in your hands..

 

bk2life, Yep, the car sat outside here in the Oregon rain for years so its got some rust issues. I believe I will take your advise on the fan clutch....take a look at this poor thing! It doesn't get much worse than that. Thank you for your advise, sir!

 

 

yours may work fine, i just have a bad habit of hey while this part is in my hand, i should change it..
much easier now than 6 months from now.