replacing water pump

psycho91

Original poster
Member
Mar 27, 2012
62
What do I need in order to remove/replace the water pump, and also what else do I need to do or remove in order to replace it
 

TB360

Member
Dec 29, 2011
169
psycho91 said:
What do I need in order to remove/replace the water pump, and also what else do I need to do or remove in order to replace it


You will need to remove the alternator to gain access to the water pump or do it from the side fender by removing you wheel.
 

The_Roadie

Lifetime VIP Donor
Member
Nov 19, 2011
9,957
Portland, OR

lukovics

Member
Oct 11, 2012
3
If you follow that link above to trailvoy and see the great writeup that is well detailed... include one note inserted before and after the step where you remove the radiator cap. Don't put it down on top the engine, because if you accidentally knock into it and falls where mine fell....it's nearly impossible to get out in my personal experience!
 

meerschm

Member
Aug 26, 2012
1,079
TB360 said:
You will need to remove the alternator to gain access to the water pump or do it from the side fender by removing you wheel.

you are thinking of the thermostat.
 

spearman

Member
Mar 28, 2013
9
If I'm not mistaken the Fan clutch needs to be replaced at the same time. Also that big nut is not as hard as it looks(wasn't for me). Wrench( 1 7/16") and a couple good whacks will do it. That link will do ya!
 

zamimj222

Member
Dec 22, 2011
53
Illinois
What is the torque specs for the water pump bolts? My fan clutch is working fine, The bearing in the water pump is just starting to growl. Do I need to replace the fan clutch or is this just something to do for preventative maintenance while I am already in there?
Thank you all:smile:
 

meerschm

Member
Aug 26, 2012
1,079
you do not have to change fan clutch with water pump. you have to remove the fan clutch to get the water pump out, but if it works, no need to replace it.

if you want to change the thermostat while you have the coolant system opened, removing the generator makes it much easier.

you may want to change the thermostat and radiator cap at this time.

my service manual says water pump mounting bolts are 10 n-m (89 inch pounds) (like the transmission pan bolts)

and the pulley to the pump bolts 25 n-m (18 ft lb)

and I know you will want to know that the fan clutch to water pump hub gets 56n-m (41 ft-lb)
 

zamimj222

Member
Dec 22, 2011
53
Illinois
meerschm said:
you do not have to change fan clutch with water pump. you have to remove the fan clutch to get the water pump out, but if it works, no need to replace it.

if you want to change the thermostat while you have the coolant system opened, removing the generator makes it much easier.

you may want to change the thermostat and radiator cap at this time.

my service manual says water pump mounting bolts are 10 n-m (89 inch pounds) (like the transmission pan bolts)

and the pulley to the pump bolts 25 n-m (18 ft lb)

and I know you will want to know that the fan clutch to water pump hub gets 56n-m (41 ft-lb)

Thanks! This helped a bunch! Also a side note, if you do not get the fan shroud back in all the way, it will rub on the fan and not let the fan turn. Only setback I had. It took me a little longer than hour & 1/2. Just went slow and took my time. Nothing broke. Everything came out in one piece and went back in in one piece.
 

dla442

Member
Mar 31, 2012
249
grand rapids, mi
Not sure what's going on with water pump from the wheel well for removal? I just did my clutch and pump. Need a good strap wrench, patience and gloves and read the very nice thread provided. 2 hour job at best. Be carefull and don't not ding up your fins on the radiator area
 

zamimj222

Member
Dec 22, 2011
53
Illinois
dla442 said:
Not sure what's going on with water pump from the wheel well for removal? I just did my clutch and pump. Need a good strap wrench, patience and gloves and read the very nice thread provided. 2 hour job at best. Be carefull and don't not ding up your fins on the radiator area

You guys are awesome and a very big help!! I am grateful for the knowledge base we have here at GMTNation!!! The only pain was getting the fan and shroud out around the top neck of the upper radiator hose.... after that it was smooth sailing, not even a broken bolt!!:smile:
 

Gevans17

Member
Jan 8, 2012
63
meerschm said:
you do not have to change fan clutch with water pump. you have to remove the fan clutch to get the water pump out, but if it works, no need to replace it.

if you want to change the thermostat while you have the coolant system opened, removing the generator makes it much easier.

you may want to change the thermostat and radiator cap at this time.

my service manual says water pump mounting bolts are 10 n-m (89 inch pounds) (like the transmission pan bolts)

and the pulley to the pump bolts 25 n-m (18 ft lb)

and I know you will want to know that the fan clutch to water pump hub gets 56n-m (41 ft-lb)


How are you supposed to torque the fan clutch nut? Can only tighten it with a crescent wrench.
 

IllogicTC

Member
Dec 30, 2013
3,452
Gevans17 said:
How are you supposed to torque the fan clutch nut? Can only tighten it with a crescent wrench.

If the center of the nut to the hole on the end of the wrench is exactly 1 foot, you can hang 41 pounds of weight off the hole. It's a crazy idea, but the only one I can think of off-hand without looking into specialty tools.
 

Gevans17

Member
Jan 8, 2012
63
IllogicTC said:
If the center of the nut to the hole on the end of the wrench is exactly 1 foot, you can hang 41 pounds of weight off the hole. It's a crazy idea, but the only one I can think of off-hand without looking into specialty tools.

I understand the concept, but its useless information.
 

{tpc}

Member
Jan 22, 2014
359
I honestly don't recall how we did mine, as I did it at work with help from a guy here. I think we probably went more by "feel" than by an actual wrench, if that helps at all. I know it was a real pita because we opted to slip the fan and clutch past the shroud both times...I think I still have cuts from it lol.

Anyways, back to your question, I think you could put a crowsfoot on it which would allow you to attach a torque wrench to it if you really wanted to make sure it was on to the proper torque. At least I think that would work, but I've never tried it. Not sure if they make "crescent" torque wrenches.
 

AtlWrk

Member
Dec 6, 2011
674
Frankly, I doubt anyone here bothers to do more than "as tight as I can get it with whatever tool I have." It's a big nut that doesn't have a tendency to work itself loose.

To torque it exactly you would use something like this in combination with a pulley/pump holding tool:
View attachment 33869
 

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BRomanJr

Member
Dec 9, 2011
371
Gevans17 said:
How are you supposed to torque the fan clutch nut? Can only tighten it with a crescent wrench.

IMHO Get it real snug with any wrench, the rotation and pulsations of the engine will tighten it further if needed.
 

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