Water pump replacement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Greenville Ohio
St. Jude Donor '05
Water pump replacement
What is involved in changing the water pump on a 1986?
If I took it to a professional, approx. how many hours are we talking for them to do it?
Thanks
Roger
If I took it to a professional, approx. how many hours are we talking for them to do it?
Thanks
Roger
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
Putting on a good water pump (Edelbrock) will cost around $150. That's without any labor. I'd estimate he will charge you about 2 hours labor. It will probably take less, but I'm assuming the book says 2 hours. The book usually reads higher than actual. I would guess the total bill would be about $300. I could be off, but the easiest way to find out is to simply call and say, "How much to change a water pump?" Don't be surprised if it's more. Vette repairs are very costly.
And if you are going to have a shop do the work, ask what kind of pump they will be installing. You don't want them to install a piece of crap. I've found Edelbrock makes one of the best water pumps out there.
And if you are going to have a shop do the work, ask what kind of pump they will be installing. You don't want them to install a piece of crap. I've found Edelbrock makes one of the best water pumps out there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite Nevada
It's not that hard of a project to do yourself. You have to unbold and move a few things out of your way; your A/C and altenator brakets are in the way. You'll also have to remove the belt and disconnect the hoses. If memory serves me correctly, there are only 4 bolts that hold the waterpump on.
As far as cost goes, I'm not sure, I've always done mine myself (unless the vehicle was under warranty).
As far as cost goes, I'm not sure, I've always done mine myself (unless the vehicle was under warranty).
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 0
From: Oceansaide CA
I did mine, took about 2 hours with small air tools. not sure how much time that saves, but it makes it a little easier to squeeze a lever then to ratchet back and forth a zillion times. Basically you'll have to remove all the accessories off the front to get there. Not hard by any measure, just takes time.
Don't forget to scrape the surfaces CLEAN and put some gorilla snot on both sides of your new gaskets, otherwise you'll be in there again after your first start up
Don't forget to scrape the surfaces CLEAN and put some gorilla snot on both sides of your new gaskets, otherwise you'll be in there again after your first start up
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Just did mine recently.
Have to unbolt and remove or move out of the way the following:
MAF and tube
A/C compressor, unbolt and wire out of the way
Alternator
Air pump
Air pump bracket
Air conditioner compressor bracket (which to uninstall you will have to disconnect the fuel lines and the heater hose.)
4 bolts on WP, but you have to remove all the stuff listed above to get to them.
Then clean the block, transfer the heater hose nipple to the new water pump and install the water pump.
I bought a flowkooler WP from summit. It dropped my hot temps 10* and is WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY cheaper than OEM. Has a lifetime warranty as well. Seems like a good pump but we'll see, has only been on the car for 2 weeks.
It's not hard to change, and doesn't really require any exotic tools. Should take about 4 hours to change. Book rate is probably more hours.
Have to unbolt and remove or move out of the way the following:
MAF and tube
A/C compressor, unbolt and wire out of the way
Alternator
Air pump
Air pump bracket
Air conditioner compressor bracket (which to uninstall you will have to disconnect the fuel lines and the heater hose.)
4 bolts on WP, but you have to remove all the stuff listed above to get to them.
Then clean the block, transfer the heater hose nipple to the new water pump and install the water pump.
I bought a flowkooler WP from summit. It dropped my hot temps 10* and is WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY cheaper than OEM. Has a lifetime warranty as well. Seems like a good pump but we'll see, has only been on the car for 2 weeks.
It's not hard to change, and doesn't really require any exotic tools. Should take about 4 hours to change. Book rate is probably more hours.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'09
Have fun....
Three suggestions.....
Get a box of band aids or a pair of those nifty mechanics gloves, you WILL bust a knuckle on this job.
Find the long torx wrench you will need to remove the compressor before you start, someone here can tell you the size you will need.
this may the time to invest in air tools, a small compressor and basic tools should only set you back about $300.
Get a box of band aids or a pair of those nifty mechanics gloves, you WILL bust a knuckle on this job.
Find the long torx wrench you will need to remove the compressor before you start, someone here can tell you the size you will need.
this may the time to invest in air tools, a small compressor and basic tools should only set you back about $300.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
I'm betting a shop will charge close to $500.00, complete. It's a fair amount of work, but there is nothing tricky or technical about it, just time consuming. Gather a few buds, and a case of BUD and have at it. I don't mean to imply that you will need help. Just being cute.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 334
Likes: 1
From: Fl
Originally Posted by e-hodges
Find the long torx wrench you will need to remove the compressor before you start, someone here can tell you the size you will need.
That would be a T45. I have the Torx on the sockets.
Yeah, if you have the air tools it will take about 2 hours total.
It would also be a good time to replace all the coolant hoses. ALL the coolant hoses. If you have a oil cooler dont forget those.
I got the Goodyear Super High miler hose kits. They are like $70 & come with the upper, lower, bypass & a bunch of heater hose.
As stated above. A general repair shop( pending location) will charge around $500. I just called one here & they quoted $675...LOL.
That is damn near a paint job.
Last edited by Wheels Up; Feb 7, 2005 at 02:07 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I too would espect the tab to be close to $450-$500.
On the pre-opti L98s this is a good home mechanic job. Remember those laobr $$ are after taxes so they come in at around $100/hr for the average shop. Even if it takes you twice as long as Mr. Goodwrench, it's not a bad hourly rate.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Fairly easy job-not like the heater core. Just take your time-2hrs. complete is about right, nothing technical-do watch the knuckles. Good job for any wrench turner at home. Damed if I'd pay $70 an hour for someone to do this job.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'09
Looong Torx wrench
[QUOTE=Wheels Up]That would be a T45. I have the Torx on the sockets.
QUOTE]
Thanks Wheels, couldnt remeber the size.
On my 87 it had to about 4 inches long as I recall, I have the sockets too but had to make a NAPA run to get an extra long one.
This wasnt GM engineering's finest moment I'm afraid.
QUOTE]
Thanks Wheels, couldnt remeber the size.
On my 87 it had to about 4 inches long as I recall, I have the sockets too but had to make a NAPA run to get an extra long one.
This wasnt GM engineering's finest moment I'm afraid.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'09
Looong Torx wrench
Originally Posted by Wheels Up
That would be a T45. I have the Torx on the sockets.
.
.
Advanced
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Bon Aqua tn
As stated above. A general repair shop( pending location) will charge around $500. I just called one here & they quoted $675...LOL.
That is damn near a paint job.[/QUOTE] Umm..where are you getting your vettes painted at?
That is damn near a paint job.[/QUOTE] Umm..where are you getting your vettes painted at?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
St. Jude Donor '06-'09
paint job
paint job estimate:
***27 cans better than average quality spray paint $135.00
4 roles masking tape $20.00
**two weeks of sunday papers $3.00
resperator (optional) $20.00
48 cans budwieser $35.00
15 cans clear laquer $60.00
*1 roll of plastic to convert garage into paint booth $10.00
TOTAL $283.00
*this item is free if you recently purchased 5 king size mattresses
** this item can be offset by the use of 5 issues of Natioanl Enquirer
*** this quanity assumes two complete coats, you may exchange this with one gallon good quality houshold enamel if you have a Wagner spayer (not power roller) or divide by 2 if one coat looks good enough
***27 cans better than average quality spray paint $135.00
4 roles masking tape $20.00
**two weeks of sunday papers $3.00
resperator (optional) $20.00
48 cans budwieser $35.00
15 cans clear laquer $60.00
*1 roll of plastic to convert garage into paint booth $10.00
TOTAL $283.00
*this item is free if you recently purchased 5 king size mattresses
** this item can be offset by the use of 5 issues of Natioanl Enquirer
*** this quanity assumes two complete coats, you may exchange this with one gallon good quality houshold enamel if you have a Wagner spayer (not power roller) or divide by 2 if one coat looks good enough
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 1
From: Bowie MD
Originally Posted by Wheels Up
If someone who has the right equipment( & skill). A killer paint job can be laid out for about $1,000. 
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 334
Likes: 1
From: Fl
Originally Posted by e-hodges
paint job estimate:
***27 cans better than average quality spray paint $135.00
4 roles masking tape $20.00
**two weeks of sunday papers $3.00
resperator (optional) $20.00
48 cans budwieser $35.00
15 cans clear laquer $60.00
*1 roll of plastic to convert garage into paint booth $10.00
TOTAL $283.00
*this item is free if you recently purchased 5 king size mattresses
** this item can be offset by the use of 5 issues of Natioanl Enquirer
*** this quanity assumes two complete coats, you may exchange this with one gallon good quality houshold enamel if you have a Wagner spayer (not power roller) or divide by 2 if one coat looks good enough
***27 cans better than average quality spray paint $135.00
4 roles masking tape $20.00
**two weeks of sunday papers $3.00
resperator (optional) $20.00
48 cans budwieser $35.00
15 cans clear laquer $60.00
*1 roll of plastic to convert garage into paint booth $10.00
TOTAL $283.00
*this item is free if you recently purchased 5 king size mattresses
** this item can be offset by the use of 5 issues of Natioanl Enquirer
*** this quanity assumes two complete coats, you may exchange this with one gallon good quality houshold enamel if you have a Wagner spayer (not power roller) or divide by 2 if one coat looks good enough
What? Nothing listed for the Wal-Mart color changing paint? That stuff is like $20 for 3 cans...LOL Talk about pimp my ride
We really need to get back on topic
corvette1990..huh? The 85 is a nice stale shade of clearcoat faded red.
I think you mean wheelsup( old school member)
I wasnt aware there was another one listed on here until a fe wdays ago.
Last edited by Wheels Up; Feb 7, 2005 at 10:15 PM.
