taking off fan to get to water pump

You can either use the special tool or I often use a very large set of channel locks, which may scuff the paint if you don't use a rag, but works very effectively. here is a link to help you with other questions, some of the big nuts on the fan pulleys are reverse thread, so check that. http://bit.ly/mitchell_repair_manuals_online

I had to replace the water pump on my '97 3.9... It was a pain in the butt. You either need a special tool, or you have to get some vice-grips and try to stop the shaft from rotating.