Water pump and thermostat

[JTMiller13]

Hey guys, new guy here,
Water pump went on my 92 Silverado 7.4 this morning on my way to work, looking for tips or tricks anyone has picked up for replacement of pump and thermostat.

Cheers!

J Miller

 

[movietvet]

If I did not say so before, welcome to the forum from Oregon.

More Information for GM GENUINE 12708487

More Information for ACDELCO 131122

My point is, use Genuine GM or AC Delco, IMO.

Make triple sure that any seal or gasket surface is clean, clean, clean before reassembly.

Before any tear down, check the fan clutch for play and smoothness. Check the belt and tensioner.

 

[JTMiller13]

Thank you! I appreciate the help and advice

 

[movietvet]

It is a straight forward replacement. Look at you tube for 2-3 videos and check out the steps. Luckily you don't have to deal with a fan clutch tool to take it apart. Break the nuts loose holding the fan clutch and pulley together before you remove the belt. easier to break loose that way and to do a final tighten too.

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

Before any tear down, check the fan clutch for play and smoothness. Check the belt and tensioner.

Check the coolant hoses too, they may be due. You might simply replace them since it’s easy during a pump replacement.

 

[454cid]

I bought a Chinese Gates pump, and the shaft seal pooped out in a year or two. It got replaced by an Airtex, that seems to be doing ok. I don't drive the truck very much anymore, Though. If I were to try another cheap waterpump it would be a GMB since they are a Japanese OEM. I have a genuine GM casting to send out for rebuild, at some point. Unfortunately, I don't have my original casting. I kept it for awhile, but got tired of having it under foot, and got rid of it.

Before spending big bucks on a new GM pump, I'd have to be sure it was US made, and not a Chinese import.

Make sure the block is clean. I've used various sizes of wire wheels to do that. I've coated the gaskets with a spray on sealer, but I think only to the pump side. I don't really want the gaskets glued down to the block as that would make them harder to remove next time. I've re-used the original bolts after cleaning them, but I may use stainless steel studs next time. They can be had on ebay. I think I put Loctite on the bolts.

For a thermostat, I think I have a Stant. Stant has been purchased by Motorad in the mean-time, so Stant branded thermostats are not as common... on Rockauto at least. I'd probably buy a Motorad as I've used them in other vehicles. I do have a GM thermostat in my parts stash, should I need it.

Get some new Gates hoses if yours are older. I reccomend keeping the OEM constant tension band clamps. I'm not sure of they're availble from GM anymore.

 

[Erik the Awful]

Before you crank the engine afterwards, stop and check the fan bolts one final time. I can't tell you how many radiators I've seen trashed because someone put the fan bolts in finger tight intending to tighten them later, but forgot.

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

I reccomend keeping the OEM constant tension band clamps. I'm not sure of they're availble from GM anymore.

This ^^^ No retightening / no leaking… much better than worm drive clamps.

Keep / reuse the OE clamps, or find replacements if they’ve been previously discarded.

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[L31MaxExpress]

I have had good luck with the Flowkooler pumps. They are usually GMB pumps with a billet aluminum impellor.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

This ^^^ No retightening / no leaking… much better than worm drive clamps.

Keep / reuse the OE clamps, or find replacements if they’ve been previously discarded.

I have had nothing but bad luck with the OEM clamps, they always leak and are a pain to install and remove. I use Gates solid surface clamps designed for silicone hoses they work great on rubber hoses as well. I have also used the Gates Power Grip a few times. Once those are in place there is no removing or repositioning of the hoses without cutting the clamps. The power grip clamps are probably the easiest clamps to use out there. Slide the right size on, heat it up with a heat gun and they are good to go. The power grip clamps are like heat shrink on steroids.