You know that bracket is not needed on a Fiero.?.? It is for timing covers that do not have the bottom 3 bolts holding on the timing cover. I have sooo many of those brackets and never used one once, just saying. Also you need to pull out the plug first before you turn in your water pump as a core. As for "not a common size" it is very common, it's pipe thread.
You know that bracket is not needed on a Fiero.?.? It is for timing covers that do not have the bottom 3 bolts holding on the timing cover. I have sooo many of those brackets and never used one once, just saying.
Maybe you've just been lucky.
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Originally posted by sardonyx247:
As for "not a common size" it is very common, it's pipe thread.
Sorry, I call baloney on that. The threads on the ACDelco water pump were different than the threads on the Cardone pump. The auto supply store went through their whole bin of fittings, and couldn't find any that would fit the threads on the ACDelco pump. And yes, they had common pipe thread plugs (which I suspect is what the plug supplied with the Cardone pump was).
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-07-2016).]
In regards to using the supplied clamp when replacing the water pump... I admit I've never removed a Fiero 2.8 timing cover. I don't know what holds it tight to the engine block in addition to the bolts that also hold on the water pump. It may not take much movement to break the seal on old gaskets. It's not like the timing cover needs to come right off to cause a leak. A clamp is supplied with a replacement water pump to prevent a leak from occurring during the swap... so I choose to use it. Certainly won't hurt to do so, and could potentially save a whole lot of extra unnecessary work.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-07-2016).]
I'm gonna be doing this here soon. Thanks for the thread Patrick! I'll remember to grab a few photos of where the bracket goes and what it holds on too. Seems kind of odd to me.
The one time I used that bracket, I had to grind the notch in it down to clear the hump in the casting, otherwise wold not fit. Did no harm to use it but I've pulled w/p before without it without problem but I guess if yo've got it, why not use it. Better safe than sorry.
------------------ Anything I might say is probably worth what you paid for it, so treat it accordingly!
As you can see in the picture I posted of my own engine, the alternator bracket needs to come out for sure. I don't recall taking the ECM temperature sensor out, but that should be more apparent to you (if it's necessary or not) once you get the clamp in the proper position. It's a nuisance, but it's a whole lot less work than not using the clamp... and then needing to remove the timing cover to replace the gasket.
after taking a ton of pictures and re-reading this thread i've come to the conclusion that the timing cover clamp supplied with water pumps attaches using a bolt that holds the alternator bracket to the engine, so on the previous page you mentioned the above quote. what do you mean? im in the process of doing my water pump and my plans are to, loosen the pulley bolts, bolt on the clamp that came with the pump, loosen the bottom alternator bolt to remove the belt, then start taking out water pump bolts
i've come to the conclusion that the timing cover clamp supplied with water pumps attaches using a bolt that holds the alternator bracket to the engine
...my plans are to, loosen the pulley bolts, bolt on the clamp that came with the pump, loosen the bottom alternator bolt to remove the belt, then start taking out water pump bolts
The supplied clamp needs to be bolted directly to the head... not onto the alternator bracket. The bracket is in the way. It needs to come off. The picture I posted of this clamp in place (which is on both pages of this thread) clearly shows the alternator bracket removed.
The picture posted Here by another member shows the clamp attempting to be used in the manner that you're suggesting (with the alternator bracket still in place)... and it won't work that way.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 12-21-2017).]
ok, i guess i was thrown off because you bolted it down without the bracket in place. it uses the alternator brackets bolt hole though right? its the only thing that lines up. would this mean it needs a longer bolt, or is this just temporary while one removes the waterpump?
edit: looks like that bracket is connected to the dogbone too, am i looking at this thing the wrong way? the alternator has to be completely removed? as it sits right now the water pump appears to be super easy to remove, but pulling everything else off.... ugh
[This message has been edited by RudyGT (edited 12-21-2017).]
the clamp is only used while the old water pump is being removed. It is not left in place!
cool, thanks. if anyone else comes across this thread which you likely will for water pump removal... the only thing that made taking the wheel well off worth while, was putting an adjustable wrench on the alternator itself at the bottom so i could pry it torelease tension, everything else is alot easier to do from the top. when draining coolant, someone correct me if im wrong, no need to remove the bottom of the radiator cover to get to a plastic drain screw with no idea where the fluid is going to pour from, instead just undo the hex screw in the passenger side cooling tube, was a bit bigger than 4.5 mm but 4.5 worked for me. so far my pulley bolts are being a pain in the butt, but i plan on using a rubber belt with a handle, the same to remove the thermostat cover to hold the pulley in place. trying not using wood to wedge things or crowbars on this engine..
I wish that I'd seen this thread prior to doing anything. I bough the AC Delco pump, and yep...no clamp.
I'm trying to see now if Rock Auto will send it to me, but they're claiming that it's not included (even though the docs in the box says it is)
That said...I've removed all of the bolts from my water pump. It didn't budge after that. I'm hoping that's a blessing, because I really don't want to have to remove the timing cover if I can help it.
Originally posted by ArthurPeale: That said...I've removed all of the bolts from my water pump. It didn't budge after that. I'm hoping that's a blessing, because I really don't want to have to remove the timing cover if I can help it.
If nothing is moving you're probably fine for now... just get the clamp on there before you start prying like a caveman to get the water pump off.
If you know local Fiero people, you can look into borrowing one, if not ask to buy one in The Mall.
[This message has been edited by pmbrunelle (edited 01-25-2021).]
