454 water pump advice

[r67northern]

Hi All,

I've torn down a lot of the accessory belt drive system this weekend to replace a power steering pump. I'm looking at the water pump, it feels like it's spinning pretty freely compared to a new one.

Do I want to replace this thing while I've got stuff apart? It looks like a PITA because of the large bracket that holds the generator and AIR pump? Is it as bad as it looks?

I'd leave it alone because it's not weeping yet, but I rely on this beast to be on call as needed.

 

[74 Shortbed]

Since you're part ways there now you may as well go the rest of the way and change it, then you'll have peace of mind and won't have to worry about it for a long time, be a pisser to put it all together and turn around and do it all over again in month or whenever it takes a $hit on ya, not to mention leave ya stranded somewhere..

 

[yevgenievich]

I would also change it. Tried to save a dollar before on fwd v6, and then had to get to the water pump twice. Instead of getting a new one when originally replacing the timing belt.

 

[1973c10]

I think I would change it

 

[r67northern]

Thanks for the input - I'll get the coolant draining and go for it. Like you all said, then it will be done and I'm staring right at the thing anyway.

 

[74 Shortbed]

Good move..

 

[r67northern]

Got things started this afternoon ... Kind of. EVERYTHING has to come off the front of this 454 to get to the water pump. Reminds me of when I went through the front of an LT1 to get at its water pump, of course that had the added treat of being mounted above the optical spark distributor so if you happened to drop coolant out of the pump when you changed it, it would go directly into the opti-spark. Thank you GM that the truck division never went that route!

 

[Old77]

Yep....I did my water pump a few months back and you're right everything has to come off to get to it lol pain in the butt but at least it's not a hard job. Just time consuming.

 

[r67northern]

Yep....I did my water pump a few months back and you're right everything has to come off to get to it lol pain in the butt but at least it's not a hard job. Just time consuming.

Yeah, I've had to adjust my expectations of how long this is going to take several times already. Meanwhile the manual is mocking me by listing only half the needed steps and saying useful things like "rotate the bracket up and out of the way to access the water pump."

Riiiight.

 

[Old77]

yeah, I want to say it took me 3-4 hours and I replaced the radiator and hoses while I was at it. I would have replaced the belts, too, but they didn't have all three in stock that day

 

[r67northern]

Well, I need to refill the system but I think it's all back together. Also found one more hose to replace: The throttle pre-heater hose. Thank goodness they still make parts for these old girls.

Happy 4th everyone.