water pump

ok, so my water pump is broke and i have to replace it, no big deal, cheap part but a lot of labor. I figure while i am at it i will replace my serpintine belt, again no problem. I heard that this assembly is connected to the timing belt as well, and this could be a problem. If i replace the water pump, will it mess with my timing? I think i need to replace my timing belt anyway so i dont know how big of a deal this really is. Any advice or input is appreciated, thanks.
(91 escort gt)

You got to remove both belts to do the water pump, sure, change them. On the 1.9, the crank pulley mark and the cam pulley marks both should be straight up. The timing belt cover is a bear, I had to pull the engine mount on that side but someone said it can be forced without. If it is stick, put it in high, turn the wheels all the way to one side and you can turn the crank pulley nut with an 18" extension. Serpentine belt is not too bad.

I would pull the engine mount, makes it easier to get the belts on too. Would not put the timing belt cover back on, it's hard to get the tensioner right, and the damm things stretch, so you'ld only have to pull it again.

thanks a lot for all the help, i think i am gonna try to get it all done on sunday so i will let you know how it goes.

normally it'sa bitch gettin the timming belt on the car. I ended up setting it ahead one or two notches and when I cranked it up and it fired it worked its way back. when I didn't set it ahead, it would not crank.

normally it'sa bitch gettin the timming belt on the car. I ended up setting it ahead one or two notches and when I cranked it up and it fired it worked its way back. when I didn't set it ahead, it would not crank.
Maybe when you thought you were setting it ahead, you were actually setting it right, and when you thought you were setting it right, you were actually retarded (literally, the timing) so it wouldn't fire.