The last few bolts behind the PS pump bracket are inaccessible. I know TomP said you were able to remove bracket without removing the PS pump, but I just don't see it. Haynes is as worthless as its always been, and I'm ready to just put my foot up the radiators ***. Someone shed some light!

 

I can't recall exactly right now, but for starters, have you loosened the ps pump and pivoted it out of the way?

 

no, I can't even find the bolts to pivot it. Do I need an open end wrench for them?

 

I'm not sure how the accessories are arranged on the 3.1L. On my '86 2.8L the AC pump is above the PS pump (if I had AC that is, so on my car it's just the bracket). Without the AC pump in the way a ratchet works fine IIRC (or maybe a combo wrench). If there is an accessory above the PS pump, that's probably what you're having trouble with and in that case I can't really help.

 

Mine is similiar to your 2.8, the problem is that the pulley of the ps pump is in the way of two 13mm bolts that need to be removed. I'm not sure how to work around the pulley

 

I'm pretty sure that those bolts are threaded into the engine or parts of the engine (meaning they don't have nuts on them). But even if they have nuts on them, you should be able to get in them with a combination wrench (open-ended wrench or whatever). I don't remember having any problems.

 

Because of the serpentine belt set up, "you're different".
You probably DO have to remove the PS pump to access those bolts you see.
BY REMOVE I MEAN
Unbolt PS from the motor and move aside.
One of the joys of a single belt set up.
Back under the hood
Sorry but I really believe you'll end up doing that move the PS pump.

 

i was afraid of that, ah hell, off to sears for a 13mm open end, b/c out of the two hundred open ends i have none of them are 13, HA, WHAT A JOY THIS IS BECOMING!

 

wellllll, I'm back to square one. got the wrench and the bolt nearly comes off but then, tada, it hits the pulley. so i don't know what to do. the car is just gonna sit overnight so i can get my thoughts together on this. does anyone with a 3.1 know how to take off the PS pump?

 

anybody?

 

I sold mine so I cant look back, but sit down logically and look at it for a minute. What is blocking you... Then find what is blocking that one thing, and remove whatever blocks it...I mean it has to go together/come apart one way or another, so its not impossible. Even if you remove the unneccesary, at least you'll get it off and by the time youre getting it back together, chances are you'll realize it didnt need to come off

 

theres no bolts or studs w/ nuts on the back of the pump? i dont know if a 3.1 is different than a 2.8 though. are there holes in the p/s pump pulley? this would probably be obvious, but im not familiar w/ a 3.1 i guess.

 

CHEAT
Go to dealer & ask for exploded diagram illustration of that area
OR USE A FLASHLIGHT to find that bolt holding you up.

 

I ended up having to take off the pulley on the pump. wasn't too happy about it, but the water pump is off now, and now i'm starting the tedious journey of removing the old gasket. thanks for the suggestions guys.

 

alright gentlemen. one last question before this project is fini. water pump and accessories are back on, belt is on car runs great. BUT, i don't think the coolant is flowing into the block because it gets hot real quick and goes almost up to 260 if i don't shut it off. is there another place besides the coolant tank that i should be putting coolant into?

 

Top off the radiator.Try to get a good ratio of radiator fluid to water

 

the metallic cap doesn't seem to want to come off. is that normal?

 

you mean the cap on your radiator. If it is thats not normal

 

yeah the cap just turns about 60* and then stops and won't come off

 

Are you PUSHING down hard and turning at the same time? Gotta go past that little lock track... Don't try to pry the sob off, you might screw up the radiator neck in which case...well, I have no idea what I'd tell you to do then...

 

Sometimes they can be a b!tch to get off, especially if its an original style cap and it hasn't been off in a while. Try pushing down on it hard, and turning it with a large set of channellock pliers...usually works well for me.

 

ya, my ancient chinese secret to gettin my cap off the first time consisted of beating it a couple times with a soft-blow hammer to loosen that crap up, and then using a little muscle to push down and turn on the thing. Definatly dont yank it off! If that doesnt work, you can always make sure the radiator is drained and try heating that sob, but then dont put your tongue on it, or any other part of your anantomy for that matter.

 

i believe your heating up like that for a couple reasons.,.,your thermostatis sticky stuck.,or there is air in you systemwhile running when it starts to get warm try squezzing the upper hose to force pressure thru.,.,

also be sure to fill your resovior in case you have small unditected leak's whi9le driving.,.,

out of curiosity ! how much did you pay for your pump?

 

well the cap just needed some persuasion, it eventually gave. topped off the radiator and aside from a slight leak from one of the hoses not being tightened enough, all is well. no overheating and all is well with the world again. thanks guys for all your input

 

hey,I just got an 84 v6 firebird.Im about to change the water pump on it and install a new radiator.Anyways,do I really have to take the power steering pump off in order to do this job

 

Probably not on an 84. Although, that sucker's carbed is it not? My guess is that it's similar to my 86 and just swings out of the way.

 

Its carbed.iI got all the belts off no problem but the power steering pump belt i was able to shimmy it out.Is that normal or is that belt stretched.I never heard any slipping b4 and the power steering pump works and worked fine

 

You shouldn't be able to get it off without reducing the tension. It could be that the tension wasn't set correctly, but I would replace the belts anyways. Peace of mind. They're not expensive. Also, Haynes manual has a good method for tensioning the belts correctly.