After 6 hours of blood, sweat, and mud; I got all the water pump bolts out of the stupid thing. But. Now its stuck to the block. Why. What did I miss? Is there more holding it on than just the bolts on the pump?

If all the bolts are out and the water pump will not release, you can gently tap on it to break it loose but before your try this, be beware that the timing cover needs to be secured FIRST. If not secured you risk breaking the timing cover to block seal which can cause a leak and even allow water into the engine oil. You can secure the timing cover with a simple bracket or use the KD tool bracket designed for it.

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[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 03-25-2020).]

These are all the bolts that need to be removed. And yes, the temporary clamp is to be mounted before the bolts are loosened/removed.




If the pump appears stuck to the timing cover, instead of tapping it, I personally would rather separate the pump from the cover (by gently prying) where the arrow is pointing.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-25-2020).]

quote Originally posted by Patrick: If the pump appears stuck to the timing cover, instead of tapping it, I personally would rather separate the pump from the cover (by gently prying)

I've tried both tapping and prying. Nothing is working. I'm this close to running the engine to warm it up a little and seeing what happens.

quote Originally posted by Additivewalnut: I've tried both tapping and prying. Nothing is working. I'm this close to running the engine to warm it up a little and seeing what happens.

With all the water pump bolts removed? I wouldn't do that.

Double-check you've removed all 12 bolts.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-25-2020).]

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Double-check you've removed all 12 bolts.

I assume I got them all. I'm seriously out of ideas here.

Time for a bigger hammer....

quote Originally posted by Gall757: Time for a bigger hammer....

YES. If the clamp to hold the timing cover securely is installed.



You can try tapping a very thin putty knife into the gasket to start separating the parts.
I've done this in similar situations, and once in had to drive the putty knife along the gasket for most of the way.

And example picture. I find it best to start tapping the corner of the putty knife into the gasket.




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[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 03-25-2020).]

quote Originally posted by fierosound: YES. If the clamp to hold the timing cover securely is installed

See that's another thing. I dont have a clamp. When I bought the pump it was supposed to have one but guess what wasnt in the box -_-

Is there a work around for this or do I just need to be deadly careful?

And thank you for the putty knife suggestion. I'll try that tomorrow.

I'm rather surprised that prying (use plenty of leverage) where I indicated above won't separate the pump from the timing cover.

quote Originally posted by Additivewalnut: See that's another thing. I dont have a clamp...

Oh man, if you're having this much trouble separating the pump from the timing cover, then all bets are off. I'd be very concerned that the timing cover to block seal has been (or will be) broken.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-25-2020).]

quote Originally posted by Patrick: I'm rather surprised that prying (use plenty of leverage) where I indicated above won't separate the pump from the timing cover.

Me too. I used a straight up crowbar and the thing didnt budge.

I HAD TO USE A TIRE IRON. BUT SHES OFF.

quote Originally posted by Additivewalnut: I HAD TO USE A TIRE IRON. BUT SHES OFF.

God its finally back on. And it works. No more leaks. I hate this car

I only broke one bolt head.... turns out when you try torquing a 7 pound bolt to 22 pounds, it breaks.

My hand and arm hurt.

If you ever have to drill out broken exhaust manifold bolts on the front bank of the engine, changing the water pump will seem to have been a walk in the park.

Glad you were able to get 'er done.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: If you ever have to drill out broken exhaust manifold bolts on the front bank of the engine Glad you were able to get 'er done.

That sounds like genuine torture

I'm too late but well done.

This neat template came with my pump gasket with design of hold down bracket.

The pump came with a bracket anyway but the bracket design might help the next person with this delightful job.

Hoorah for PFF tellingbone image postings.

[This message has been edited by PK (edited 03-28-2020).]

quote Originally posted by PK: This neat template came with my pump gasket with design of hold down bracket.

Very interesting. That's the first time I've ever seen that posted here or anywhere else!

A pump & timing cover housing stuck that tight sounds like a previous owner replaced it and used Indian Head sealer on everything. That's an old school product from the 60's maybe earlier. I had trouble removing heads from my GTO using that stuff. With all bolts removed I wasn't able to blow the heads off the block by cranking the engine and I'm talking about 10.75:1 compression.



Spoon

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PK, Thanks for posting the picture of the tool. Also thanks for posting with the tape measure but can you add some detailed dimensions to the picture of the clamp tool? Width of the tool, length, distance between bolt holes and distance from the edge to locate the centre of the bolts would be appreciated.

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Mike in Sydney

Hi Mike,

I did want to make an accurate scan of it and make it available but my level of technology extends to just this tellingbone.

I will certainly do as you ask next time I am in the same place as the template, give me a few days. Else I can resort to a pencil and trace it for you and post. :0)

No pencil but made a quick sketch. Measurements in foreign. :0)

[This message has been edited by PK (edited 03-31-2020).]

Thanks, PK. No worries about the metric measurements. I've lived in Australia long enough to get "metrificated" or "metrified".

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Mike in Sydney

This post could be mine. Exact same issue. Pump doesn't want to budge, even with a 24" pry bar.

Now, with what I know about the clamp, I'm praying that that's a good thing.

Anyone have one they can drop into the post? AC Delco one says it's supposed to be in the box (it's not) and Rock Auto says I need to find it myself.

quote Originally posted by ArthurPeale: This post could be mine. Exact same issue. Pump doesn't want to budge, even with a 24" pry bar.

I found that instead of trying to pry it off, getting a tire iron or something that has a 90° angle on it wedged into the notch in the water pump and giving it a twisting force will pop it right off without breaking the timing cover seal. I never got the bracket with my pump and didn't have any issues after using the tire iron.

Best of luck, man.

quote Originally posted by Additivewalnut: I found that instead of trying to pry it off, getting a tire iron or something that has a 90° angle on it wedged into the notch in the water pump and giving it a twisting force will pop it right off without breaking the timing cover seal. I never got the bracket with my pump and didn't have any issues after using the tire iron. Best of luck, man.

I would hope that my 24" prybar with a wide pry face would be enough, but....

quote Originally posted by ArthurPeale: I would hope that my 24" prybar with a wide pry face would be enough, but....

Not even kidding, I snapped a crowbar trying to get the stupid thing off.