WATER PUMP time for me!

[-sin-]

Okay, so I already read this thread and searched http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthread.php?119-Water-Pump-Relacement

So this is my current list:
Pump
thread sealant/RTV
Gaskets
Thermostat
Bypass hoses
Coolant
Upper and lower hoses
distilled water
fan clutch tool
(serp belt was changed about 4 years ago)


Anyone else have any pointers or things I forgot?

 

[skylark]

Before you buy the tool take a chisel and hammer and smack the corner of the nut on the fan clutch. Chances are that it will come loose easy enough. Obviously you want to leave the belt on to hold the pulley while you smack it. I always use the green anti freeze due to problems from DEX-COOL-CRAP.

 

[Dr.Zoom]

Parts stores also do free rental on the fan clutch tool if you're not into owning one.

 

[RyanMerrick]

Before you buy the tool take a chisel and hammer and smack the corner of the nut on the fan clutch. Chances are that it will come loose easy enough. Obviously you want to leave the belt on to hold the pulley while you smack it. I always use the green anti freeze due to problems from DEX-COOL-CRAP.

Agreed about the DexCool. Just did this repair myself and replaced all of the coolant with the standard green stuff. The 350 V8 is far from a modern engine and will do just fine with it. The hardest part of the repair was the fan clutch removal.

One thing I would add to the list is the 11 blade fan, it's a nice upgrade. Details here: http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthr...B-Build-Thread&p=843869&viewfull=1#post843869

 

[RyanMerrick]

Oh...one more suggestion. Take a few minutes to paint the water pump before the install, so the raw metal won't look like crap in a year or two with rust. Here's pics of my repair:

http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthr...B-Build-Thread&p=843046&viewfull=1#post843046

 

[Dr.Zoom]

I decided after reading about the Dex Cool that since that's what's been run in mine all its life that I'd stick to it. It's still good for now since I did my water pump last year and my engine is still plenty strong at 311+k with no problems all its life(knock on wood).

Seems like from my reading people who changed from one to the other sometimes encountered problems after the switch, but if no problems popped up or if the engine used green from the start it was good. But there were also plenty of people who had no problems with the Dex Cool.

Just my very unscientific observation. If I ever rebuild mine, I'll switch, but for now I'm going to dance with the one that brung me.

 

[Cokeman95]

Oh...one more suggestion. Take a few minutes to paint the water pump before the install, so the raw metal won't look like crap in a year or two with rust. Here's pics of my repair:

http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthr...B-Build-Thread&p=843046&viewfull=1#post843046

^This. Definitely paint it before install. I didn't on my pickup and really regretted it.

 

[-sin-]

Thanks guys appreciate it!

 

[Jorge6.5]

How about a new fan clutch while your in there? If it already hasn't been done recently.

 

[-sin-]

How about a new fan clutch while your in there? If it already hasn't been done recently.

Jorge, I ordered the 11 blade fan from Amazon yesterday that Ryan Merrick suggested and my clutch is still good currently.

Ryan's info:
http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthread.php?17114-RyanMerrick-s-1997-C2500-RCLB-Build-Thread&p=843869&viewfull=1#post843869

And the fan:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EQP244?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00