Water Pump

[Caprice Master]

I plan to replace my waterpump, eventually. It is a rebuilt pump with 80K on it. (My 85 Caprice has 362K on it btw. ) The waterpump is getting pretty loose, and is making some noise. But it doesn't drip, and when the engine is running, the belts hold the pump in place without much wobble. Who knows, maybe I can run it like this for a long time !

When I replaced the waterpump a few years ago, I remember it being a major PITA, due mostly to the power steering pump bracket. I was messing with that bracket, and the bolts in it, for hours. I don't want to suffer the same hell again, but I can't remember exactly what the solution was! I eventually got everything on, though.

I was looking at the ps pump today, and it looked "not that bad", but that's how it looked last time too !

Anyone know what I'm talking about ? Can anyone remind me what the hassle is with the power steering pump ahead of time, and how to get around it, so I don't have to freak out again ?

Thanks

[TommySS]

Which engine do you have?

The 305 pump is very straightforward

[Caprice Master]

I have the 305 V8. I remember having to loosen every bolt holding the power steering pump, maybe even remove it entirely to get its bracket out of the way of the waterpump since they sort of overlap. And for some reason the danged holes in the PS pump didn't want to align with the mounting holes in the block or waterpump when I tried to reinstall the PS pump, and I had to take the PS pump off again and baby it back into place bit by bit.

There must be an easirer way to deal with the PS pump, right ?



Thanks

[TommySS]

Wow. I need to have a look at it (got any pictures you can e-mail to me).

I have to remove 4 fan belts (loosening all the accessories being driven).

I have to unbolt the smog pump support bracket because it bolts to the pump.

I can get in w/o having to remove the alternator, but it's tight.

The power steering pump stays attached.

[Caprice Master]

I removed the alt and the smog pump completely when I did my waterpump. Maybe I didn't have to.

Didn't you have to swivel the power steering pump away from the waterpump ? There is a bolt that goes through both the ps pump and the wpump. Looks like I could slide the wpump out from behind the ps pump, but getting it back in would scrape the gasket and the tacky sealer against the block, and maybe screw it up.

Maybe I'm making this job 10 times harder than it is. I don't have a digital camera, so can't send pics.

Thanks

[TommySS]

The power steering pump stays put.

There are three different adjustment "slides" and if you loosen (but not remove) the bolts, the power steering pump will move to the right enough to get the water pump off.

For me, the alternator is the biggest hassle getting that long bolt started, but an air ratchet makes quick work of that.

Be sure you coat the lower water pump bolts with sealer and torque the bolts. Doing the whole job over is the last thing you wanna do.

[Caprice Master]

Thanks for the tip about the ps pump sliding right, and the lower bolts / sealer.

[TommySS]

Please let us know how it goes and if you need additional info