I need to change the gasket that surronds the water ports on the front of the engine block behind the water pump right above the timing cover. I bought the gaskets at auto zone and its like a hose shoe shape that also came with a water pump gasket. Do I need to take off the vibration damper? It looks like I may not have to but I wanted to know if anyone has done this before and did they have to remove the vibration damper?

 

Yes, you have to remove the harmonic balancer to remove the timing cover. This is also a good time to grab a front main seal.

 

I have that with the set also. According to the haynes manuel, It does not look like I have to move the timing cover just to put the gasket around the block where the water port is. Am I missing something? Im talking about the part you take off where the water pump is connected. If you have a pic can you post it.

 

To remove the timing cover, the part behind the water pump, that the water pump is bolted to, you need to remove the harmonic balancer, no way around it.

 

Is the harmonic balancer hard to remove? I never used the damper. Does anyone have instructions how to use it? It seems simple Im not sure. Is there a special way that its suppose to be removed or reinstalled?

 

You must use a harmonicbalancer puller. If you try to remove it with a jaws-style puller, you'll in all liklihood ruin the damper. I got mine for like $25 @ AutoZone. I think on the 2.8L, you may not have to remove the cover.

 

Don't think you'll have to remove it, but you can get the installer and remover tool from autozone through their loan program. I've changed the water pump on the 3.4 without touching the damper, maybe yours is different. Just didn't want you to buy the tools, whether you need them or not.

 

Do be careful because if the 2.8 is like the 3.4, then you may ruin the timing cover gasket if you do not fashion a special retaining tool when removing the water pump. The Haynes book explains it. Check AutoZone's web site -- a lot of the Haynes bok info is publicly available. It

 

On the 2.8 you do not have to remove the balancer to remove the pump. However, I am talking about the part that is connected to the engine block to get to the timing cover not the timing cover its self. The part that I am talking about may be called the front cover unless the front cover is another name used for timing cover. My question is, Do I have to use a damper tool to remove the water pump peice that connects to the engine block not the water pump its self, Im talking about The peice after you remove the water pump.

 

i have changed my water pump and disected another identical engine and it has the waterpump then the timing cover which has the water channels in it for the pump. and the only thing i saw int the way of the timing cover removal was the belt pulley and the ballancer.

http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpart...f/12363230.pdf

is it on that engine?

the 2.8 and 3.4 are bolt for bolt identical so if its on yours it should be on there.

 

front cover = timing cover.

Yes you need a puller made for removing the harmonic balancer.

You can buy a cheap one for about $20, at most auto parts stores. Some stores also have a loan a tool program as well.