QuestionI have a '97 Silverado 4WD with a 350 Vortec. I know
enough, mechanically speaking, to be dangerous. I
can take things apart and put them back together,
but usually can't diagnose problems. However, I do
have a water pump out on my truck. My question is,
how difficult is it to change the water pump on my truck. Do I need any special tools, and what are the steps. I would appreciate any help or suggestions.
Thank you.
AnswerHi Rob,
Mostly, it is just work. Nothing scientific about it, and other than a good supply of hand tools, some metric and some standard, you don't need any pullers, presses, or special tools.
You should check the fan clutch, or better yet, just replace it with the new pump, since worn out fan clutches are a major contributor to water pumps going out, and you don't want the same thing happening to your new one.
Watch where spacers come from, and you may even want to record the steps as you remove things, so you don't skip something during reassembly, requiring you to backtrack.
But you shouldn't have any problem.
If a bolt or two screw completely into the water jacket, they may need sealer applied to them, but usually the instruction sheet with the replacement pump tells you that.
Good luck,
Van
