I'm getting a nasty grinding whine from my water pump.. pretty sure it's on its last legs.. problem is, my haynes manual says something about the water pump bolts also being used to hold on the timing chain cover.. I don't want to screw my engine by breaking the seal on the timing chain, but I also don't want to go through hell with the water pump dying off.. Manual didn't specify what year engines this existed on, so anyone know, and if it is, should there be any problems with a swap?

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'86 Camaro SC, black /w silver stripes
MSD Coil, Accel 8mm wires, splitfire plugs.. need a job to get this list longer

 

Yeah, some of the bolts (the top ones) are the same ones used to mount the timing chain cover. I didn't make the Haynes tool, and I replaced my water pump 3 frickin times (kept getting bad ones in the cold of January)!

Here's what I did. When all the bolts are out for the water pump, if you look to the top-passenger-side of the pump, there's a gap between the pump and the thick timing chain cover. I placed an old tire iron (now a pry bar!) in that spot, and pushed the tire iron backwards- this way, the "fulcrum" was the timing chain cover. So the iron (in theory) would push the timing chain cover "back" while pushing the water pump "forward".

You might want to leave a bolt in at the top (just verrrry loose) so the pump doesn't hit the ground; either that, or catch it with your other hand.

Oh- I forgot one of your questions- it was on all 2.8's. The danger they mention is if someone grabs the water pump and yanks it forward- it'll pull at the timing cover until the pump-to-cover gasket breaks free. With the pry bar, you don't put stress on the timing cover at all.

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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 December 20, 2000).]

 

Thanks for the info.. makes alot of sense =)

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'86 Camaro SC, black /w silver stripes
MSD Coil, Accel 8mm wires, splitfire plugs.. need a job to get this list longer

 

I didn't have a problem with the timing chain cover. I guess I just got lucky

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My only mod: Flowmaster 40 series