Hi All,
I just changed my water pump (twice!)
and have a few tips regarding the change. I bought a WP450 unit from Advance Auto that was advertised as a "new" part for $22.18. The pump looks great, the gasket is cr@p.
1). Whatever brand pump you buy, do NOT use the cheezy paper-thin gasket that is included. Spend the $1.20 and buy a FelPro gasket. See where I'm going with this? Yup, the paper gasket somehow trashed itself during the install and I had to do it over - after getting everything back together!
2). When removing the old pump, undo the 4 water pump pulley bolts about halfway before removing the serpentine belt.
3). If you're lucky enough to have an old left-over timing cover, use your finger to spread some vaseline over the (clean!) water pump gasket surface. Stick the FelPro gasket over the dowel pins. Lightly daub some silicone sealant on the gasket surface of the new pump and smear it so it covers completely. Place the pump over the dowels and install the 6 small bolts. Lightly tighten the bolts and let it set for 1/2 hour or so while you clean the gasket surface on the timing cover (in the car!), clean up the spilled coolant, repaint the pulley, etc.
4). Remove the pump from the junk timing cover and smear a little more vaseline on the backside of the gasket (makes removal SO much easier the next time!) and install the pump in the car. Torque the 6 small bolts to 115 in/lbs, the 4 long bolts to 21 ft/lbs, do NOT tighten the larger "topmost" bolt more than hand tight (ask me how I know!) or it will strip, GUARANTEED! I now have a 1/4" x 2" bolt & nut asm in it's place. Maybe I'll helicoil it - next time!
5). Put just enough back together so it will hold coolant, fill it and be SURE there are no leaks before proceeding to finish.
HTH,
I just changed my water pump (twice!)
and have a few tips regarding the change. I bought a WP450 unit from Advance Auto that was advertised as a "new" part for $22.18. The pump looks great, the gasket is cr@p.1). Whatever brand pump you buy, do NOT use the cheezy paper-thin gasket that is included. Spend the $1.20 and buy a FelPro gasket. See where I'm going with this? Yup, the paper gasket somehow trashed itself during the install and I had to do it over - after getting everything back together!
2). When removing the old pump, undo the 4 water pump pulley bolts about halfway before removing the serpentine belt.
3). If you're lucky enough to have an old left-over timing cover, use your finger to spread some vaseline over the (clean!) water pump gasket surface. Stick the FelPro gasket over the dowel pins. Lightly daub some silicone sealant on the gasket surface of the new pump and smear it so it covers completely. Place the pump over the dowels and install the 6 small bolts. Lightly tighten the bolts and let it set for 1/2 hour or so while you clean the gasket surface on the timing cover (in the car!), clean up the spilled coolant, repaint the pulley, etc.
4). Remove the pump from the junk timing cover and smear a little more vaseline on the backside of the gasket (makes removal SO much easier the next time!) and install the pump in the car. Torque the 6 small bolts to 115 in/lbs, the 4 long bolts to 21 ft/lbs, do NOT tighten the larger "topmost" bolt more than hand tight (ask me how I know!) or it will strip, GUARANTEED! I now have a 1/4" x 2" bolt & nut asm in it's place. Maybe I'll helicoil it - next time!
5). Put just enough back together so it will hold coolant, fill it and be SURE there are no leaks before proceeding to finish.
HTH,
