Water pump replacement.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 219
Likes: 21
From: Long Island NY
Water pump replacement.
Pulled in my driveway today after a spirited drive and as I turned it off and got out, noticed a bit of steam coming from the passenger side headlight area. Opened the hood and realized there was coolant flowing from the water pump area. I had other things going on and didn't get to double check that it's not just as hose, but I'm thinking it's the pump. Anything special in replacing one on a 95 LT1? I'm assuming it's fairly cut and dry.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 259
Likes: 38
From: Volcano CA
There's 6 bolts on the water pump, not 4 like a standard SBC. The Opti has 3 bolts and you have to wiggle it a little to get it out of the cam seal. Get a timing cover gasket set (around 14.00) and change the cam seal while you're there. It's easy. Do yourself a favor and take off the belt tensioner pulley. Comes out on the pivot bolt. That will give you a little more accessibility for putting the driver's side plug wires back on the Opti. The biggest pain will be the lower pulley if it's never been off. I used anti-seize on the bolts and pulley when I reinstalled just in case it has to come off at a later date.
Last edited by 2LZ; Sep 14, 2017 at 10:34 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
There's 6 bolts on the water pump, not 4 like a standard SBC. The Opti has 3 bolts and you have to wiggle it a little to get it out of the cam seal. Get a timing cover gasket set (around 14.00) and change the cam seal while you're there. It's easy. Do yourself a favor and take off the belt tensioner pulley. Comes out on the pivot bolt. That will give you a little more accessibility for putting the driver's side plug wires back on the Opti. The biggest pain will be the lower pulley if it's never been off. I used anti-seize on the bolts and pulley when I reinstalled just in case it has to come off at a later date.
This. Pure hell. 
While you're in there:
Flush Radiator (some will say pull radiator)
Pull Knock Sensors
Hoses
Plugs
Wires
Last edited by Renfield; Sep 14, 2017 at 02:03 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 191
From: Shit Creek, USA
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 219
Likes: 21
From: Long Island NY