What do I need for replacing a water pump? (Page 1/8)
Cliff Pennock MAY 04, 09:54 AM
Since no garage is doing Fiero's anymore here, I'm going to try to replace my water pump myself. Not something I'm looking forward to (since this is going to be a side-of-the-road job)...

I'm making a list of stuff I need:

  • Water pump
  • Torque wrench
  • C-Clamp (instead of bracket for holding the timing cover in place)
  • 3/16" hex bit (for draining the system)
  • Torx: T30, T40, T50
  • Anti-seize
  • Thread sealant
  • Gasket sealer
  • Brake cleaner


Am I missing something?

Since I'm also thinking of replacing the bolts with standard hex bolts, does anyone know what sizes I need?
Dennis LaGrua MAY 04, 10:52 AM
Sounds like you are all set to go but forgot one important item. Before you start, cut apart a large plastic leaf/trash bag. Use that big plastic sheet to cover all of the fiberglass insulation around the wheel well. Use masking tape to keep it in place. If you don't do this, be prepare to be itchy. You probably know this already but the battery needs to be removed for working space. Just take your time work carefully and if you have a bit of luck the job will go smoothly.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

Lou6t4gto MAY 04, 03:13 PM
BAND AIDS ! LOL
Notorio MAY 04, 03:31 PM
Cliff, two things I normally do to help with reassembly on car projects are:

1) Take a piece of stiff cardboard and draw the rough outline of the water pump, in this case. Make a small hole in the cardboard for each bolt at the approximate location and when you remove that bolt insert it into the cardboard template. This helps especially when bolts are the same head but different length. You can also jot a note or two on the cardboard if needed to keep things organized.

2) Take lots of pictures before taking things off (and 'in process' if needed) to record the position of the various brackets, routing of wires and hoses, etc. I didn't do that last time and ended up badgering kind Forum Members for pictures THEY had taken to salvage my operation .

John

p.s. and Thank You! for all you do to give us a place to keep Fieros on the road.
fierosound MAY 04, 03:53 PM

quote
Originally posted by Notorio:

Cliff, two things I normally do to help with reassembly on car projects are:

1) Take a piece of stiff cardboard and draw the rough outline of the water pump, in this case. Make a small hole in the cardboard for each bolt at the approximate location and when you remove that bolt insert it into the cardboard template. This helps especially when bolts are the same head but different length. You can also jot a note or two on the cardboard if needed to keep things organized.

2) Take lots of pictures before taking things off (and 'in process' if needed) to record the position of the various brackets, routing of wires and hoses, etc. I didn't do that last time and ended up badgering kind Forum Members for pictures THEY had taken to salvage my operation .




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My World of Wheels Winners (Click on links below)

3.4L Supercharged 87 GT and Super Duty 4 Indy #163

Patrick MAY 04, 04:41 PM
This version of the last image happens to show the one bolt that requires sealant upon re-installation.


quote
Originally posted by Patrick in This thread:



[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-13-2024).]

Spoon MAY 04, 07:57 PM
Make sure your replacement water pump does not have a plastic impeller or you may be repeating this job sooner than you thought.

Spoon

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"Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut

fierofool MAY 04, 08:39 PM
There is one vital piece that doesn't come with every water pump, and that is the clamp to hold the timing cover against the block. Without the clamp, you stand a chance of breaking the seal at the top left corner of the timing cover where the water jacket comes through to the pump. This can cause coolant to leak into the crankcase and you wouldnt know it until it's too late.

Here is a link with lots of information on water pump replacements that we published in our newsletter.
http://gafieroclub.org/pics...sletters/Feb2020.pdf

This is a clamp that was sold at auto parts stores and is discontinued. I and another club member just found 2 this week and purchased them.
https://www.ebay.com/p/1333381983
creaky78 MAY 04, 08:50 PM
Before replacing the pump on my '87 GT, I read that it is a real pita. I didn't find that to be the case. Only difficulty was removing a semi stripped out torx head screw at the bottom of the pump. Note that in the photo I have installed two guide studs for installing the pump, this makes it a snap to get the pump on with no fuss. Be sure to use the clamp to hold the timing cover in place. The Gates 43092 pump comes with the clamp and has a cast iron impeller.

[This message has been edited by creaky78 (edited 05-04-2020).]

Cliff Pennock MAY 05, 03:55 AM
Thanks all for your advice. 😊

This is the water pump I bought on eBay some time back.







No idea if it's any good quality wise but it feels heavy and it has a metal impeller. One thing that did surprise me a bit is that the pully/impeller doesn't rotate freely. I mean, it hardly takes any force to rotate it, but it's not rotating freely. So if I spin it, the moment I release it, it stops. So it doesn't keep rotating and slowly comes to a stop, it stops instantly.

Is it supposed to do that?