Help! Replacing the Waterpump

[GMike]

Trying to find someone who has changed their own waterpump. I bought my 91 ZR-1 last year and started having waterpump problems on the way home from Eureka Springs, last Oct.
I've done some wrenchen in the past, but I think at my age I'm a bit skeptical on wether I can do this job - espically laying on my back in an unheated garage, in 20 degree weather.
I checked with my mechanic - his book shows it's a 5 hour job and his cost is $ 375.

Any help/info would be greatly appreciated. I'm not in a rush. It doesn't look like there will be any kind of a major thaw this year - but I'm itichin to get back on the road - even a couple of hours driving around here - on clear roads! ZR's and icy roads just don't mix!

 

[secondchance]

I changed mine 4 years ago.
I remember clearance being real tight. Fortunately (or unfortunately) my radiator was leaking also. Therefore, I removed the shroud, pulled the radiator which gave me sufficient room to remove the water pump. I am sure you can remove the water pump without pulling the radiator but its not going to be easy.

Also, its not a bad idea to take the opportunity to pull the radiator and clean out all debri between radiator and AC condensor.

Doing all this took me about 6 hours.

 

[GMike]

thanks for the info

 

[john713]

i pulled mine off 96LT1 4 times, it is hard and a Knuckle buster but the main thing is get the fluid out and don't let it hit the Opti spark

 

[Hib Halverson]

i pulled mine off 96LT1 4 times, it is hard and a Knuckle buster but the main thing is get the fluid out and don't let it hit the Opti spark

The engine in question is an LT5 which has no Opti-Spark.

As "secondchance" says it's time consuming, but I wouldn't characterize it as a "knuckle-buster". Since the car is 17 years old, while you have it apart to change the pump, inspect coolant hoses and change the drive belt.