Smokin Joe
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,549
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From: Glastonbury CT
Smokin Joe
Why is my 77 water pump smoking? Is the bearing on its last leg? Car gets hot quick with the thermostat new in it. Is it a big job to change pump? Thanks for any info.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,135
Likes: 4,244
From: US-PNW
Changing a water pump is one of the "easier" and more straight forward tasks of engine fixes. Without seeing a pic of your engine, it's difficult to tell you what needs to be removed or swung out of the way for access, but the gist is to:
- remove all belts that run off the pump,
- maybe remove the upper radiator hose and AIR pump for easier access to the pump,
- detach the fan assembly and pump pulley,
- drain the coolant.
- Remove the 4 pump attachment bolts and gently knock/bump/pry the pump from the block.
- Clean the mounting surfaces on the block,
- apply a light coat of gasket sealant to the block and new water pump,
- install the new gaskets on the pump by inserting 2 of the upper bolts through the pump's mounting holes
- and start them into the block holes.
- Thread the lower bolts through the pump, gaskets, and into the block.
- Snug it all down and then using an X-pattern, tighten all 4 bolts a little at a time until they're all reasonably tight. If you have a torque wrench, aim for 20-30 ftlbs or look up the spec in your service manual.
- The rest is just the reverse of disassembly.
Last edited by barkingrats; Sep 1, 2020 at 11:55 AM.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,135
Likes: 4,244
From: US-PNW
One more thing...
As far as tools you'll likely need 3/8" to 5/8" wrenches and/or sockets, a gasket/razor blade scraper, and a long screwdriver or pry bar to do the whole job. Wrenches to loosen and remove bolts and nuts you encounter; screwdriver/pry bar to adjust the belt tension for the accessories on reassembly.
For materials: replacement coolant and a small tube of gasket sealer intended for coolant exposure (Permatex brand is decent).
Now is also a good time to carefully evaluate the belts for possible replacement.
As far as tools you'll likely need 3/8" to 5/8" wrenches and/or sockets, a gasket/razor blade scraper, and a long screwdriver or pry bar to do the whole job. Wrenches to loosen and remove bolts and nuts you encounter; screwdriver/pry bar to adjust the belt tension for the accessories on reassembly.
For materials: replacement coolant and a small tube of gasket sealer intended for coolant exposure (Permatex brand is decent).
Now is also a good time to carefully evaluate the belts for possible replacement.
