Swapping heads only, need advice
1) I see no reason to remove the water pump, I'm not changing the cam. No bolts in the water pump go into the heads, only the block.
2) What is the best way to getting the steering pump out of the way?
a) do I remove the 3 bolts that hold the pump's mounting bracket to the head and lean the pump forward.
b) do I remove the pulley and then the two bolts that hold the pump to the mounting bracket. If I do this, how do I remove the pulley? what tool fits the center of the pulley, and is it simply turn off while holding the pulley?
I have a 1999 Camaro SS. I'm down to the water pump business for the dvr side head. The pass side head is ready to take off.
Ben T.
1) I see no reason to remove the water pump, I'm not changing the cam. No bolts in the water pump go into the heads, only the block.
You can probably do it this way, but I used the water pump holes and a miti-vac pump to suck the block dry and avoide a big mess when the heads come off. No coolant in bolt holes this way either.
2) What is the best way to getting the steering pump out of the way?
a) do I remove the 3 bolts that hold the pump's mounting bracket to the head and lean the pump forward.
b) do I remove the pulley and then the two bolts that hold the pump to the mounting bracket. If I do this, how do I remove the pulley? what tool fits the center of the pulley, and is it simply turn off while holding the pulley?
I did it on a Vette and removed the bracket (PS pump and alternator bracket) and leaned it forward tying it with a small line to keep it out of the way. I have also read of a number of guys damaging the PS pulley when removing, so that might not be the best way to go unless you have to.
I have a 1999 Camaro SS. I'm down to the water pump business for the dvr side head. The pass side head is ready to take off.
Ben T.
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Anyway we all agree that the water pump does not get removed for swapping heads only.
Studytime: My pulley set has split jaws and an outer thin ring to keep them together. This worked very well.
To all: I am done,, I decided to pull the pulley, with the proper pulley puller set, the pulley came off rather easy.
Thankyou for all the help, you guys are great!!!!
Ben T.



