water pump replacement-won't budge

[gcfisher75]

I did this same thing on my olds.... I was having troubles trying to get the tool to "bite in" on the pump flange... so with the help of a buddy I had him take a prybar, and get against a tranny bellhousing bolt with it... he then pryed in towards the water pump against the breaker bar I was using to turn the tool for the water pump then I busted my ass and turned the water pump free. Worked fabulous.

[KJH]

I found a local GM dealership that let me borrow the factory socket for removing/installing the water pump. We put a ton of pressure on the breaker bar and socket to remove the water pump and the socket never slipped at all. We also had to cut away pieces of and apply heat to the old water pump to break it free.

[MustangVetteAurora]

I switch mine out this summer and it didn't want to budge. I bought the $12 remover tool from Carquest etc! I took a breaker bar and a pipe to put over the breaker bar and pushed about 150 pounds of muscle and wham it finally broke loose ( I actually fell backwards as this item removed)! It was a bear and once it broke loose the Autozone water pump was on in about 20 minutes ! Good Luck!
Jeff

[DIGBY67]

Well, thanks to all who wrote, but in the end it was SteVB who saw the mechanic coming down the road.
This post is a little long, but I hope it will help others.
The following were tried:
Heating (with a glue gun, no gas torch available), soaking with PB Break, cleaning the tabs with a dremel tool, buying a heavier tool, then wearing off the edges of the tabs with the heavier tool thus rendering both tools useless.
So then, I figured I could rotate the pump from the pulley side, where you can see just a sliver of a metal collar that's part of the locking flange...rotate that collar and you rotate the locking mechanism on the other side.
I drilled out the weephole on the top of that collar so I could insert the end of a screwdriver. I attached a chain to the screwdriver now poking out of the H2O pump axle, then wound the chain behind the axle like a yo-yo. I attached a pry bar to the free end of the chain and attempted to rotate the pump by prying it against the pully, creating a twisting force.
I thought I was going to pull the engine out of the car before something gave way...SUCCESS...no, my screwdriver bending 45 degrees.
Curse...Close the hood...call the mechanic...IT'S WELDED ONTO THE ENGINE.
I am both relieved and concerned that the mechanic tells me he's never heard of a special tool and that he's always had to "just tear the water pump apart" to remove it...hmmmm.
Anyway, I resolve myself to paying about a grand for "benchwork" and have the car towed to the shop.
The next day, the man calls to ask me what kind of antifreeze I use because the NEW PUMP IS IN.
Says he had to tear it apart with a crowbar and a hammer, as usual. However, he does like the Lisle tool (that I've left in the car) for the install.
I tell him he can have it for $10 off the bill.

H2O pump, belt, and serpentine belt...$106
2 special tools...$65
PB Break, drill bits, chain...$25
Bent screwdriver and my 1/2" drive ratchet wrench gone "missing" from driveway (plus nice pipe I was using as a breaker bar)...$30
Getting someone to hack out my old H2O pump (now 3 pieces in a cardboard box) then install the new one...$97
Having the Black Rocket up and running like a champeen for 2 weeks now...PRICELESS.
LET SOMEONE ELSE DO THIS JOB.
thanks to all again.
Digby

[The Rebel]

Originally Posted by DIGBY67

me again...
Everything I've read on the posts says the water pump should just twist clockwise to release.
However, mine isn't budging AT ALL.
I have a water pump wrench (cheapo Lisle model), but it wants to slide off the flanges.
I've kept it on long enough that I've been able to apply enough pressure that I think should have broken it loose by now.
Anyone else experience this? More success with another tool (brand?)?
Am I missing something?
Thanks to all.
Digby

Tap it with a hammer!