in the middle of my cap and rotor swap right now and i have a quick question. Do i have to drain the coolant from the block before i pull the WP off? I already drained the radiator and all the hoses leading to the WP. Just dont want coolant spilling all over the opti. Thanks guys!

 

If you don't drain the water from the block, you will like spill some coolant, not a lot. If it's not difficult, might as well drain the block. It will also ensure that your water pump gasket sealing surface stays dry. Just remember that after you bolt your water pump back on, connect all of the hoses. Unbolt the thermostat housing, remove the thermostat, and fill up from the water pump first. Once it's full, put the thermostat in, bolt down the thermostat housing, and fill at the radiator with the bleeder screws open. Once you see coolant coming out of the bleeders, close them.
Doing this will help ensure that you have no air in the system.

 

+1 i drained the block before doing the switch, just makes it alot easier and cleaner

 

cool, just finished draining it. Can the new rotor only go on one way? i dont want to mess that up either

 

yes, only one way

 

It can go in through the back of the motor by the firewall..
jk

 

There should be a little locating dowel on the rotor, should only be able to go on the correct way. Be sure to use a dab of thread locker on the rotor screws.

 

yea i just picked up some blue loctite for the rotor screws. I just need to figure out what the right size torx bit i need is so i can get the old rotor off. Does anyone know? I managed to only break one of the cap bolts off on the opti, and there are still some threads left, so i will probably just reuse that one.

 

anyone know what size torx bit i need for the rotor screws?

 

It's very small. I had to buy a little 4 piece set of torx bits from autozone. Its like a T5 or something like that.