OK, it has me beat and the manual only says "unbolt and lay compressor aside" like it is an easy task :banghead:

I see two bolts near the top on either side of the compressor. They both insert from the rear. One of them looks like you have to remove the valve cover to pull it!! (Stupid GM engineering again!!) The drawing show a third one near the bottom of the compressor. I find a 13mm head there but the pully is too close to get a socket or box end on it and I can't get an open end to break it loose.

I thought removing the entire mounting bracket might work, but the same lower bolt is still stopping me.

Have I missed or overlooked something :confused: :confused: Any advise or suggestions would be welcome.

BTW; I am working my way towards the timing chain, so any other pointers would be helpful also. :yesnod:

 

DONT REMOVE ANY OF THE A/C LINES!

You can pull the compressor forward off the waterpump bolts and move it out of the way, kinda tough, but once you do it once, its easier. You'll have to remove the air accumulator (alumimum cylinder tank) and its bracket. Remove all the smog/diverter valve crap too. (Duh.)

Also, (from memory)
1. Remove the belt tensioner
2. Remove the two nuts that go on the passenger side water pump boltstuds
3. Remove the nut that holds the black compressor support to the ex manifold
4. Loosen the bolt on the other side of this support (dont remove it, you can't)
5. Remove the black bolt right under the compressor pulley as you pull the compressor forward. This bolt is tricky, and has a notch on the head to clear then pulley when you finally pull it out. The pulley also has to be in a certain position where the notches are, to clear the bolt head. You'll need an open end wrench or a torx bit to remove this bolt.
6. Now you should be able to access the waterpump and timing cover.

I just changed my timing chain and front seal a few days ago on my 85, so feel free to IM me with any questions.

EDIT:

I don't remember if I had to remove or loosen that bolt near the valve cover or not. I DO know that you don't need to remove the valve cover to get the compressor out of the way.


[Modified by CentralCoaster, 5:23 PM 5/11/2003]

 

you do have to remove the valve cover you also have to have the first engine valve rocker arm in a down position to get the bolt out. use a torex socket for the bottom bolt........if you don't have one go buy a set......a corvette has them all over. good luck :cheers:

 

Did 1-4 OK

The bolt in step 5 was the problem and you gave me a good tip. It is a hex with a TORX in the center that I did not notice. It's a #40. Maybe I'll have a chance against it now!

Thanks for the quick response.

This is so stupid. Why can't the compressor just mount with a few bolts like the alternator so you can get it out without taking half the engine off? :rant:

 

Well, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. :boxing

I removed my timing chain without taking that bolt off, or taking the valve cover off.

That bolt only secures the compressor to the bracket. But you can pull the compressor and bracket forward in one piece. The other bolts have to be removed because they attach the compressor and/or bracket to the engine block or head.

 

I think if you just try to unscrew that wacky bolt, the bolt head will hit against the backside of the pulley before it comes out of the cylinderhead all the way. That's why you need to remove it last and back the bolt out and compressor out at the same time.

Once you get the bolt unthreaded from the cylinderhead, you can rotate it properly and rotate the compressor pulley properly to fish it out.

 

You should go ahead and buy a wobbly or u-joint extension for your socket set if you don't already have one.

Also, I needed to use 1/4" drive sockets to get some of the timing cover bolts out, because the 3/8" drive sockets had to thick of a wall on them.

Have fun!

 

Thanks for all the help :thumbs:

Made it to a 24hr Auto Zone and got the #40 Torx. That got the bottom bolt loose. Had to disconnect the fuel line and return line to get the bracket over them and out of the way. After that, the water pump was a much easier task. (Except I had a bit of a coolant spill draining the radiator)

Main pully and balancer are next targets. Need to buy the tool to pull the balancer.


Thanks again for all the help. :cheers:

 

If you do end up removing the bolt that is contacting the valve cover, grind off one side of the flange head and you will be able to remove it the next time without pulling the valve cover.
:seeya

 

OPPS I THOUGHT WE WERE REMOVING A COMPRESSOR FROM THE BRACKET RATHER THEN TRYING TO REMOVE THE WATER PUMP :cheers: