Est. time to replace water pump
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: Centralia Illinois
Est. time to replace water pump
Sprung a leak as I was coming home from work, just a block from my house. pulled into the garage and saw the steam coming from under the hood. leaking from under driverside flow channel.
Just wondered how long it would take me to replace the pump. I'm a fair backyard mech. p.s. no A/C to bother with. Also looks like i can get to it without pulling the alt.? any idea's how much time it should take to change it. thanks
Just wondered how long it would take me to replace the pump. I'm a fair backyard mech. p.s. no A/C to bother with. Also looks like i can get to it without pulling the alt.? any idea's how much time it should take to change it. thanks
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: MN
I've replaced mine a couple of times but it wasn't the only reason for being there. Without the AC in the way you should be able to do it on a Saturday and be driving again on Sunday. Not too bad of job you just need basic hand tools.
I'm sure others could do it much faster but I never put parts back on without messing around with other things while I'm in there.
I'm sure others could do it much faster but I never put parts back on without messing around with other things while I'm in there.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
A couple of hours should be fine especially with no A/C compressor. My 87 FSM says the AIR pump has to come off as does the related valves and hoses. But I can see both left-hand bolts for the w/p and the AIR pump and alternator bracket does not bolt to the pump (no studs or long bolts like the right side). 
Might be a good idea to replace both radiator hoses while you have the pump off.
Last spring, one of the w/p gaskets failed and it took me about 4 hours to do but I have the A/C unit and it was a PITA getting the lower compressor mounting bolt off.
But as mentioned, once you have the front of the engine clear of the accessories, you can do any clean-up needed.
Might be a good idea to replace both radiator hoses while you have the pump off.
Last spring, one of the w/p gaskets failed and it took me about 4 hours to do but I have the A/C unit and it was a PITA getting the lower compressor mounting bolt off.
But as mentioned, once you have the front of the engine clear of the accessories, you can do any clean-up needed.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
I played hell getting all the old gasket material off. And you have to make sure the surfaces are 100% clean or it will leak.Working at a leisurely pace and having to pull the A/C I'd put the job at 3 hrs. In your case, drop an hour off for no A/C. Then again, I'm **** about bagging and labeling fasteners etc, so it takes me a bit longer on teardown and a bit less on reassembly than most guys.
At any rate, not a big deal
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
If memory serves me correctly (a crapshoot these days) my 84 had 4 different sized water pump bolts to accomodate accessory brackets, etc. I bagged and labeled each individually. They may be all the same on the later models, but something to look for.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 3
From: Supreme Soviet Peace-Loving Pipple's Kollektive of Seattle Wa
I got 'em mixed and had to fart around matching them up...bag and tag is a great idea!