Do you guys remember my post about the "buzzing" sound ? I think my water pump is going bad. I have a leak around the lower radiator hose. So I need some instructions and tips for changing the Water pump. I also checked some prices at carparts.com. The cheapest one they have is $53.95 Is that a good price ? Or do they make an aftermarket pump for our cars ?

 

Seems like a good price to me. I would whip out an old Haynes Auto Repair Manual in reference to removal and installation of the water pump,however I'm looking at it right now and it doesnt look too awefully hard,I mean I would be able to do it so that gives you an idea...

 

I replaced mine using the Haynes manual. It wasn't too bad. The hardest part was getting the lower radiator hose back on far enough up so it wouldn't leak. That just takes a little muscle and patientce. Watch not to over-tighten the bolts, though.

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

hmmm, not a tough job. try kragens and get them to match a competitors price. i did that and payed like $35. as far as the work is concerned, all you need to do is take the PS pump off and then pull the water pump off. and when you fill the system back up remember to get all the air out.

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Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)

 

How do you get the air out ?

 

I didn't have to take the PS pump off. I have a 2.8, I don't know about other engines.

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series

 

The hardest part for me was scraping the old gasket off of the timing chain cover. Be careful, that timing chain cover is aluminum, and it gouges easily with a metal gasket scraper.

I bought my pump from Pep Boys for $30, three times. Good thing I bought the lifetime warrantee one! The first one busted after two months, the second one was bad right away, the third one was finally good. Talk about a pain!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Black '86, your engine doesn't have a serpintine belt, right? i think those are a little different.

voltran, to get the air out you have to fill the system up and then run the car until the thermostat opens( approx. 180-195 degrees) and then top it off again.

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Dan
1990 3.1L RS
80 Series Flowmaster
It's fast(er than a 3 cyl metro)

 

They must be different; I didn't have to move anything either on my '86. I removed the belts, removed the top hose, removed the water pump pulley, and there it was...

...taunting me, laughing at me, saying "I was defective so you have to replace me again!", staring me in the eyes, turning my blood cold with hate as it-

Oh! Uh, er, never mind.



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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

[This message has been edited by TomP (edited November 22, 2000).]