1978LT1

I have 1996 LT1 in my car and i think i have a problem with the water pump. When i completely fill my radiator, i see coolant leak from the water pump? After i loose some coolant and then the leak stop.

The funny thing is if i start the car, i dont see any leaks but if i add more coolant to the radiator, it starts to leak and then stop after it hits a point? So what is my problem?

Is it air pressure and i need to bleed?

Please let me know

atlantadan

A leaking water pump is a dead water pump. Replace it before it ruins your optispark too

1978LT1

thanks. Any specific stock brand water pump to buy. Checked out advanced auto parts and carpets. Looks reasonably priced...other options?

atlantadan

I only use AC Delco stuff, personally.

TheUrbz

Hot-lanta dan is correct.


I had the same issue in my 97. it would leak ever so much and I kept having to add fluid. when I pulled the pump off I couldn't find anything wrong with it so I first thought im chasing the wrong problem. installed the new one and haven't had a problem since. I believe I went with ac delco as well. reallllly need to start to keep a list of the parts im using.

BALLSS

1978

Get a "new" vs "rebuilt WP
Buy the FelPro front timing cover gasket seal kit. Replace WP & Opti seals
clean inside of coupler splines, grease and put the new "O" rings from TC seal kit on WP drive & WP splines

or go EWP. Mine has been on for 17 years now

1978LT1

So this weekend, i got parts from advanced auto and did manage to complete the job. removing the pump took less than 15 min but getting rid of the old gasket took 5 hrs. what a pain. The reinstall went well but i think i should have changes the thermostat when i was in there.

So i had a question on thermostat. I thought a friend of mine put in a 160 thermostat. But when i looked at mine it said "Fc180". I am not sure if its just the stock replacement. Does the 160 thermostats say fc160?

I then bleed the system and filled with dexcool and distilled water. I did run the car, bleed and top off. i can see the temp gauge goes up to 210 and is steady....(last part of the green zone)? The outside temp is close to 90F. Before it would always be close to ~180F(right in the middle of green zone)

So what do you guys think? change the thermostat? I just don't want the engine to over heat...

BALLSS

210 is not over heating

If the car was programmed for 160 stat than put one in.

The LT1 stat is different than most so make sure you got the right one.

Did the WP come with a T stat or did you use the one from the old WP?

also the LT1 is reverse cooling so it needs to be bleed. If you did not do that, it will over heat fairly quickly as there is air pockets trapped. There is a bleed screw on Tstat housing. put a rag around it so coolant does not **** all over opti when bleeding

1978LT1

I think the car was programmed for a 160 and i used the old thermostat with the new WP.

I did bleed air out of the system using the bleed screw, on top of thermostat housing and did put a rag and some paper towels to prevent opti destruction. Watched a steady stream of coolent and then tightened it..

I found a 160 thermostat on amazon for cheap...i hope there are no special ones or fav thermostats..

Thanks

BALLSS

it needs to be LT1/4 specific T stat

Hypertech # 1008 is 160

myltwon

iTrader: (1)

There are two bleed screws on the lt1 one is inline iirc and the other is on the thermostat housing like you posted

1978LT1

Just ordered it. Hope i don't have to drain the radiator again

BALLSS

no, just pull the lower hearer hose on the WP and drain a little coolant out in a clean container (you can re-use it)

This way you don't puke as much coolant out when you take off the housing

you will need to bleed the system regardless