www.chirpthird.com: Paging Steve da Wrench

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Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on 03 June, 2002 01:09 PM:

How hard is it to replace the water pump on a 1997 Camaro LT1? Mine just started seeping ,probably from sitting . I bought a brand new GM water pump for $250 with my discount. Ouch!I have never worked on a LT1 engine before. Thanks!

Posted by Steve da Wrench (Member # 1301) on 03 June, 2002 01:27 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by 2002Z4CSS:
How hard is it to replace the water pump on a 1997 Camaro LT1? Mine just started seeping ,probably from sitting . I bought a brand new GM water pump for $250 with my discount. Ouch!I have never worked on a LT1 engine before. Thanks!

Actually, its not too tough. The labor time is 2.1 hours to replace it and bleed the cooling system. Remove air duct, fans, radiator hoses and heater hoses(not the radiator itself), the air pump, then the water pump. If your water pump was leaking, and you are going to have it off, I HIGHLY recommend replacing the Opti-crap unit (dist cap) at the same, as they have a tendency to get the coolant in the cap, then it will just quit on you and not run. Be aware, it does take a special socket to do the cap, but its not too hard either, just expensive parts.
Steve.

Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on 03 June, 2002 01:39 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Steve da Wrench:
Actually, its not too tough. The labor time is 2.1 hours to replace it and bleed the cooling system. Remove air duct, fans, radiator hoses and heater hoses(not the radiator itself), the air pump, then the water pump. If your water pump was leaking, and you are going to have it off, I HIGHLY recommend replacing the Opti-crap unit (dist cap) at the same, as they have a tendency to get the coolant in the cap, then it will just quit on you and not run. Be aware, it does take a special socket to do the cap, but its not too hard either, just expensive parts.
Steve.

Thanks for the info. I thought the 1997 would have a better Opti Spark that was more waterproof?

Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on 06 June, 2002 03:49 PM:

I took the water pump off last night and could not believe how easy it was to remove. Maybe I will find time to reinstall it tonight. Once the fan and electric air pump is removed,there is a ton of room to work.

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