taking heads off need help!
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 699
Likes: 1
From: Redondo Beach, California
taking heads off need help! Iam taking my heads off the car by using directions from ls1howto.com, Iam stuck on one thing. Do I have to take the power steering pump and water pump off b4 I get to the heads? It looks unnecessary, Iam almost there but it looks like I can just go on w/o taking those off. I need to put in new head gaskets and put in studs. Can I go straight into removing the heads? thanks
Yeah you have to unbolt them. The power steering pump stays connect, just got zip tie it off to the side. And the water pump just gets removed. The water pump is some easy **** but the power steering bolt(s) are a real bitch...took me over an hour of slow wrenching. Also when you unbolt the water pump give it a few good smacks with the hammer cause its probley going to be on there pretty good still.
Yeah that was the first thing that I did...also be prepared for coolant to basically pour out of your car and on to the floor even after its all drained when you go removing everything else.
the water pump is a huge pain but just stick with it. and remember to do the bolts evenly. do one bolt a few turns, then do the other bolts a few turns, it's easier that way. and no matter how much coolant you think you draiined, be ready for a surprise when you pry the heads loose.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 202
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From: nowhere in particular
Isn't there a drain plug for the blocks coolant on the block somewhere, it's location was in my volatile memory, lost it when my wife cycled my power......
Really though it minimizes the coolant rush from the heads.
Really though it minimizes the coolant rush from the heads.
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Originally Posted by tbojbob
Isn't there a drain plug for the blocks coolant on the block somewhere, it's location was in my volatile memory, lost it when my wife cycled my power......
Really though it minimizes the coolant rush from the heads.
Really though it minimizes the coolant rush from the heads.
1 above the starter and 1 above the oil filter adapter
no need to take of the water pump. take one of the block drain plugs loose and be ready because coolant will shoot out of there. rent a power steering pulley remover/installer tool it will make life so much easier. take off te p/s pump pulley and there are two 13mm bolts that hold the pump on and 3 15mm bolts that hold on the bracket.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 699
Likes: 1
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by oange ss
you dont need to remove the water pump, unbolt the p/s pump from the driver's head and lay it to the side
does anyone else agree? Id love to keep it on, it would be alot less messy.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 699
Likes: 1
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by REDWS6ROCKET
no need to take of the water pump. take one of the block drain plugs loose and be ready because coolant will shoot out of there. rent a power steering pulley remover/installer tool it will make life so much easier. take off te p/s pump pulley and there are two 13mm bolts that hold the pump on and 3 15mm bolts that hold on the bracket.
Originally Posted by SELLSZ06
Ls1howto.com says to take the whole assembly off, not to bother with the pulley. Where do I get a p. steering pulley tool from?
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From: Gainesville, Denton TX
you can take the pulley off with a puller, but its plastic and many have broke those.
then unbolt the pump from the bracket.
Or take the waterpump off, and remove the bracket and leave the pump attached to it. I'd go this way, less chance of breaking the pulley, and just easier IMO.
then unbolt the pump from the bracket.
Or take the waterpump off, and remove the bracket and leave the pump attached to it. I'd go this way, less chance of breaking the pulley, and just easier IMO.
Launching!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 297
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From: Memphis, TN
I am within a couple of days of doing a head swap myself, and I had no idea that the water pump does not have to come off.
It seems like it will make things alot easier, but is there anything special that you need to do if you do not take off the water pump?
Why do people (ls1howto) think it necessary to remove the water pump when doing a head swap?
It seems like it will make things alot easier, but is there anything special that you need to do if you do not take off the water pump?
Why do people (ls1howto) think it necessary to remove the water pump when doing a head swap?