C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Help! WP gasket removal from engine ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 07:52 PM
  #1  
MikeC4's Avatar
MikeC4
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Default Help! WP gasket removal from engine ?

Guys,

My WP bearings are toast and it destroyed the Opti in the process. Anyway, I am old school and I am trying to remove the old gasket material from the fron to the engine with a single edge razor. What a major PITA !! Is there a special tool or easier method to get the old crap off. It is not coming off easy like some other cars I've done. It must be the old permatex making it so difficult....

Here's a pic of the WP bearing failure :



Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 08:02 PM
  #2  
janarvae's Avatar
janarvae
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 988
Likes: 7
From: Sarasota Fl
Default

I've used this a couple of times: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0P?vName=Tools.

But nothing beats a razor blade, so try this: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...pecialty+Tools. It is basically a handle that you attach razor blades to. I used a razor blade (in my hand) for removing the old gaskets from transmission internal parts - expect lots of cuts (the old-fashioned way of course) if you do it by hand.

Hope that helps....
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 08:41 PM
  #3  
schrade's Avatar
schrade
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 0
From: :45 minutes from everywhere / E-I-E-I-O
Default

Originally Posted by MikeC4
Guys,

My WP bearings are toast and it destroyed the Opti in the process. Anyway, I am old school and I am trying to remove the old gasket material from the fron to the engine with a single edge razor. What a major PITA !! Is there a special tool or easier method to get the old crap off. It is not coming off easy like some other cars I've done. It must be the old permatex making it so difficult....

Here's a pic of the WP bearing failure :



Gonna' be time for a new pump pretty soon I'd say...

I was laid out over my passenger front tire, elbow on the TB gettin' a scrape-on on the block too! Doin' it blind too almost.

Whatcha' need is one of them laser guided smart scraper - or a seein' eye razor!

Don't be scared to shoot a few more pics as you go...
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 08:42 PM
  #4  
Redeasysport's Avatar
Redeasysport
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Default

I have always used a putty knife I sharpen on the grinder. It gives more leverage and has a better handle to grab.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2008 | 10:47 PM
  #5  
skybolt31's Avatar
skybolt31
Drifting
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Default

I used a SnapOn surface prep tool AT401MC:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

I started out using a variety of razor and xaxto knife blades, thinking that I may have to do this job in a parts store parking lot some day and wanting to do it with hand tools. It was a pain so I got out the air tool and had the surfaces nice and clean and shiny in a few minutes.
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 08:19 AM
  #6  
lilredc4's Avatar
lilredc4
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Radford Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by skybolt31
I used a SnapOn surface prep tool AT401MC:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

I started out using a variety of razor and xaxto knife blades, thinking that I may have to do this job in a parts store parking lot some day and wanting to do it with hand tools. It was a pain so I got out the air tool and had the surfaces nice and clean and shiny in a few minutes.
These surface prep tools are availibe at tool rental places if you have you near you. they are the best.
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 08:43 AM
  #7  
adi4's Avatar
adi4
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 1
From: Weymouth Dorset
Default

Originally Posted by skybolt31
I used a SnapOn surface prep tool AT401MC:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

I started out using a variety of razor and xaxto knife blades, thinking that I may have to do this job in a parts store parking lot some day and wanting to do it with hand tools. It was a pain so I got out the air tool and had the surfaces nice and clean and shiny in a few minutes.
That is the exact same tool that i use, I also use it for polishing small items, If you use the grey discs they are really fine
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 10:25 AM
  #8  
MikeC4's Avatar
MikeC4
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Default

Originally Posted by skybolt31
I used a SnapOn surface prep tool AT401MC:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

I started out using a variety of razor and xaxto knife blades, thinking that I may have to do this job in a parts store parking lot some day and wanting to do it with hand tools. It was a pain so I got out the air tool and had the surfaces nice and clean and shiny in a few minutes.
Thanks for all the good info guys !!

I wonder if a dremel tool would work ??????? I don't know if dremel has an attachment that wouldn't score the aluminum surface though.....these things spin at such a high RPM....

Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 11:00 AM
  #9  
pianoguy's Avatar
pianoguy
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 10
From: Apple Valley MN
Default

You have my condolences - that was the worst part of the job for me, too. I did mine last spring and I think I still have cramps from jockeying that razor blade around in there.
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 11:10 AM
  #10  
MikeC4's Avatar
MikeC4
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Default

Originally Posted by pianoguy
You have my condolences - that was the worst part of the job for me, too. I did mine last spring and I think I still have cramps from jockeying that razor blade around in there.
Thanks !! Yeah...getting the WP,Opti and balancer off was a piece of cake compared to this gasket scraping nonsense..

Reply
Old Aug 2, 2008 | 11:45 AM
  #11  
skybolt31's Avatar
skybolt31
Drifting
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Default

Originally Posted by pianoguy
You have my condolences - that was the worst part of the job for me, too. I did mine last spring and I think I still have cramps from jockeying that razor blade around in there.
Originally Posted by MikeC4
Thanks !! Yeah...getting the WP,Opti and balancer off was a piece of cake compared to this gasket scraping nonsense..

Thats for sure, I am not one to normally spring the money for SnapOn tools, but a friend of mine let me borrow his and it worked so good, it was worth the money. It taks various scotchbrite pads and it turns slower than a die grinder, just really works good and makes the pain in the neck part of the job a piece of cake.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 12:07 PM
  #12  
MikeC4's Avatar
MikeC4
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Default

Guys,

Thanks for the torque info. and gasket removal methods. I ended up doing it the old fashioned way, single edge razor and bloody hand. I did wrap the razor with electrical tape to make it easier to handle. After I finished, I flushed the coolant system and refilled with ~70/30 prestone/distilled water.

If I ever do this job again, I will invest in that snap-on surface prep tool. I must have spent an hour or so scraping off that old gasket material.

And that 'aint no fun when it is 103F outside...Arghh

Anyway, job finished. Took it out, drove about 20 miles, let it cool, topped off coolant, checked for leaks, no problems.

Just FYI, I have seen alot of threads about the HB not being keyed to the hub. Well, it is true that it is not keyed in the traditional sense, but there is a raised "barb" on the hub that you match up with the triangular arrow on the HB pully. See the first pic to see what I am talking about.

Hub is oriented at TDC(this makes it easy for Opti coupler install. The "mark" on the
coupler will align at 6:00 o'clock:



OEM Delphi Optispark mounted(Note: job much easier if you remove the belt tensioner which is to right:


Opti Test: BEFORE YOU INSTALL YOUR WATERPUMP.Hook all the electricals up,
and start the engine to ensure your Opti works. It only takes a minute to plug in all the sensors.
There is no risk to damaging anything without the waterpump installed and no serpentine installed.
If you look closely, you can see that I even plugged in the coolant sensor which is just hanging there



WP installed, all buttoned up, ready to go(It's a shame that the Opti dissapears after WP install !!):




Last edited by MikeC4; Aug 3, 2008 at 12:52 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 12:10 PM
  #13  
janarvae's Avatar
janarvae
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 988
Likes: 7
From: Sarasota Fl
Default

Originally Posted by MikeC4
Guys,

Thanks for the torque info. and gasket removal methods. I ended up doing it the old fashioned way, single edge razor and bloody hand. I did wrap the razor with electrical tape to make it easier to handle. After I finished, I flushed the system of all old coolant and refilled with ~70/30 prestone/distilled water.

If I ever do this job again, I will invest in that snap-on surface prep tool. I must have spent an hour or so scraping off that old gasket material.

And that 'aint no fun when it is 103F outside...Arghh

Anyway, job finished. Took it out, drove about 20 miles, let it cool, topped off coolant, checked for leaks, no problems.

Just FYI, I have seen alot of threads about the HB not being keyed to the hub. Well, it is true that it is not keyed in the traditional sense, but there is a raised "barb" on the hub that you math up with the triangular arrow on the HB pully. See the first pic to see what I am talking about.

Hub is oriented at TDC :


Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Help! WP gasket removal from engine ?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:26 PM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE