Blow Torch

Any reason to pull the water pump when swapping heads? I've done a couple sets of heads, but both times I either swapped cams or had the front cover off for timing chain / oil pump swap.
I'm getting ready to change out the heads on my wife's cammed, bolt on car, and I keep reading guys referring to pulling the water pump when doing a head swap, so I thought I'd ask

vettenuts

I would just to be able to remove the coolant from the block and lessen the mess. I use a miti-vac and small hose to pump the block dry once the water pump is off the motor.

Blow Torch

This was what I assumed guys were pulling them for (read one of your post VN )
Couldn't you just pull the thermostat housing? I hated to pull the WP simply to drain the water and then have to purchase new gaskets, etc.
I've used the shop-vac trick both times and it worked great, but I had to pull the pump (and everything else) anyway

scott1974

chevy406

Try just removing the thermostat and vacuuming it out, and then report back for the rest of us. I like to remove the water pump and jack up the rear of the car to help drain the block.

Another option would be to remove one of the threaded coolant plugs in the block.

vettenuts

That would work as well but sometimes they can be a bugger to get to.

Blow Torch

I think I'll try this first and see what kind of water I get and go from there. Don't like to take anything off that I don't need to in order to avoid CREATING any extra leaks to deal with


Scott1974

You hang out with Mark at any of the NASA events??

scott1974

No, I dont think so. If I go to a track it is usually Commerce. I would like to check out a NASA event though.