Water Pump (help)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 221
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From: midwest Iowa
Water Pump (help)
Hi I am replacing the water pump on my 1986 vette has any one done this if so whats the trick to getting the AC compressor out so that I can get that bracket out of the way any help would be great thanks 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 868
Likes: 5
Wrong section but I'll see if I can help.
I used to have(years ago) a 86 and I put a few water pumps on it if I'm inline with your problem I used to have to remove the passenger's side valve cover to get one of the back bolts off of the compressor.I then had that bolt replaced with a stud so I could just take the nut off the back.
maybe that helps
Jason
I used to have(years ago) a 86 and I put a few water pumps on it if I'm inline with your problem I used to have to remove the passenger's side valve cover to get one of the back bolts off of the compressor.I then had that bolt replaced with a stud so I could just take the nut off the back.
maybe that helps
Jason
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Leave the a/c compressor bolted to the accessory bracket.
There's a hex bolt with a torx head on it just below the compressor pulley... this is the final bolt, loosen it as you pull the whole bracet forward (this bolt threads into the pass.side head) It has a notch in the bolthead, you have to rotate it the right way and have the a/c clutch in the right position.
I also had to remove the bracket for the air accumuator (the aluminum cylinder in front of the compressor). If your a/c hoses are stiff, it's hard to pull the compressor+bracket off the left side waterpump studs, but you'll know if it's loose... just pull harder.
There's a hex bolt with a torx head on it just below the compressor pulley... this is the final bolt, loosen it as you pull the whole bracet forward (this bolt threads into the pass.side head) It has a notch in the bolthead, you have to rotate it the right way and have the a/c clutch in the right position.
I also had to remove the bracket for the air accumuator (the aluminum cylinder in front of the compressor). If your a/c hoses are stiff, it's hard to pull the compressor+bracket off the left side waterpump studs, but you'll know if it's loose... just pull harder.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 157
Likes: 2
From: Fayetteville Ga
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
Leave the a/c compressor bolted to the accessory bracket.
There's a hex bolt with a torx head on it just below the compressor pulley... this is the final bolt, loosen it as you pull the whole bracet forward (this bolt threads into the pass.side head) It has a notch in the bolthead, you have to rotate it the right way and have the a/c clutch in the right position.
I also had to remove the bracket for the air accumuator (the aluminum cylinder in front of the compressor). If your a/c hoses are stiff, it's hard to pull the compressor+bracket off the left side waterpump studs, but you'll know if it's loose... just pull harder.
There's a hex bolt with a torx head on it just below the compressor pulley... this is the final bolt, loosen it as you pull the whole bracet forward (this bolt threads into the pass.side head) It has a notch in the bolthead, you have to rotate it the right way and have the a/c clutch in the right position.
I also had to remove the bracket for the air accumuator (the aluminum cylinder in front of the compressor). If your a/c hoses are stiff, it's hard to pull the compressor+bracket off the left side waterpump studs, but you'll know if it's loose... just pull harder.
I have just done this on my 86. Be carefull of that torx head bolt underneath the compressor. It's hard to get a torx bit in there because it's slightly tucked up under the compressor. I had to put the torx bit (T-40 I think) in a small 1/4' socket so it would clear. That bolt is in there with a lot of force so make sure you have the bit straight into it. I almost stripped mine.
Make sure the gasket mating surfaces on the block are very clean. Use Permatex #2 on the water pump bolt and heater tube (big tube coming out the side) threads.
And do try to fight the urge to go further into the engine for other mods. I did, and lost.
