Bob456

I need to replace the water pump on my '89 S-10. The only auto work I have done is oil changes and battery replacements. I would appreciate any advice that anyone has.
It looks like I need to remove the belt and pull the four bolts on the pump. How do I remove the fan and (clutch?) from the shaft.
Also if that is a clutch what is used to engage it? I don't see any wires going to the pump.
I haven't bought the pump yet. Should I go to the dealer or get it from the auto parts store?

OverBoardProject

Welcome to Automotive Forums

I imagine that it's a 4 cylinder motor, but it'll help us guide you if we know for sure.

Drain the cooland below the water pump level first.
The hardest part will be removing the belt. If you can reach the bolts holding the fan on with the belt still on crack them loose first.
Remove the belt, then the fan.
Remove all the bolts on the water pump and try to pull it from the motor. If it doesn't want to move look for more bolts. They sometimes stick, but I've seen just 1 bolt left so many times.

Then clean the surface, and bolt the new pump and gasket back on.

The job should take you no more than an hour, but there are a few things to watch out for and think about.

1 - the bolts brake off pretty easily. If it doesn't turn anymore tighten it a little, then loosen it working it around.

2 - it's the best time to inspect the belts, and change them if nessary.

3 - A quick and inexpensive way to increase your power and fuel economy is to change the fan to a ford Taurus electric-fan. I've done ths mod, and love it. I just basicly copied Rlith, another member
Here's his link
http://www.s10forum.com/forum/showth...den%2Fimperial

Good Luck, and have fun. If you let us know what motor it has we might be able to help you some more.

jackass#1

most places will charge a core charge if you dont have the old one to trade in. youll get your core charge back once you turn in your old pump. reason for this is they rebuild them(not really worth buying rebiult items).
really doesnt matter if you go dealership or parts stores. make sure to great lifetime warranty.

Bob456

Thanks for the help. It did not look as bad as I thought it would be once I got a drop light in there to see where things are.
Its a V-6. I pulled the top half of the fan shroud out and then removed the fan and clutch assembly. I pulled the hose off the pump and let it drain. I looks like the clutch has some sort of bi-metalic spring that is suppose to make it kick in. I think its broken as it runs the fan all the time even in winter. I don't think I will replace it as I only put 12 miles on the truck daily going to and from work.
I pulled the belt and the found a surprise. I could not get at the water pump mounting bolts on the right side. There was two fuel line in the way. I sure there is a tool for this, maybe a smaller ratchet would have worked, but I did not have one. I had to disconnect the two fuel lines from the injector housing air intake thing in order to move the lines a little to the left. I had to take loose the bracket near the water pump holding the fuel lines as well. The pump came out easy.
I did have to move a plug from the old pump to the new one and the fan mounting studs as well.
Luckly the old gaskets stuck to the old water pump. I had to do very little scraping of the engine block.
I used an old tube of gasket sealer in order to stick the new gaskets to the new water pump to keep then in place during bolt up. This turned out to be a bad idea. I bumped the left gasket out of place when installing the pump. I thought I had moved it back correctly but didn't and damage the left gasket with the bolt.
As my dad would say "Did you learn anything?". I put the whole thing back together only to discover a leak when I started to refill the system.
Another famous quote often told to me by a teacher "It gets easier the second time."
I made new gaskets and bought a new tube of sealer which dried in minutes. With the pump bolted up and the hose back on I check for leaks before proceeding.
No leaks this time and putting ever thing back went faster the second time.