Toyota Repair: 92 Corolla Timing Belt, crankshaft pulley, pulley bolt

Question
Hi Ted,

I am the original owner of my 92 Corolla (4A-FE, automatic transmission), which has 167K miles on it and is in good condition. The timing belt is about to be replaced for the second time. My questions to you are:
1) What is the life expectation of the water pump? Should the water pump (still the original one) be replaced now or wait until it starts to leak?
2) Should the water pump pulley be removed in order to replace the water pump? If so, how to remove the pulley without raise the engine up by 6 inches or more?
3) I cannot loose the crankshaft pulley bolt with wrench since the pulley turns. Can this bolt be easily removed if I use an electrical power tool (with impact, to be purchased) and be tight to the correct torque force (87 ft-lbs) later when the bolt is re-installed?

Thank you very much for you time

Jack


Answer
I recommend replacing the water pump at this mileage, don't wait until it starts to leak.
The pulley can be removed first by taking off the 10mm bolts, you may have to raise the engine up a little bit to get it out.
The crankshaft pulley bolt can be very tight(up to 180ft/lbs) I don't know if an electric impact wrench can remove it, one way to keep the pulley from turning while trying to remove the bolt is to use a chain wrench installed around the pulley and removing the bolt with a large breaker bar and socket.