I owned several 240s and replaced many water pumps, but this 1980 242 has a different fan than any other I've seen on a 240. It is a metal bladed fan (not plastic like I'm used to seeing) and it has a very short shaft. As in, you CAN NOT get to the 4 10 mm bolts mounting the fan/fan clutch to the water pump. There is a 17 mm nut on the front of the fan, where the coiled steel usually is, but turning this turns the pump and pulley bracket. How are you suppose to remove this fan to get to the water pump? Are you suppose to some how grip the pulley and turn the 17 mm bolt to remove the fan, then remove the 4 bolts from the fan clutch? If and when I get this fan off, is there any harm in replacing it with the plastic fan with a longer shaft for easier removal in the future? Thanks for any tips!

 

I'm bumping this thread. I too am having this same exact problem with a 1980 245. Metal fan and every reference I have found shows a plastic fan that is easily removed. An afternoon of replacing the water pump has turned into three days of frustration.

 

Here is what I did. I got a buddy to hold an old drive belt I'm the pulley really tight while I put a 17 mm wrench on the bolt in front and I got it off. I called my mechanic and he said its fine to replace metal fan with plastic fan for easier removal I'm future.