I’m going to replace a buddy’s water pump with the motor inside the car already.
I’ve done this couple of times but just need to be sure:
I believe both the top and bottom timing cover needs to be removed. As for the bottom one that means I have to also remove the crankshaft as well, correct? Looking at the helm’s manual it looks like we have to remove the bottom cover to get to the water pump.
That said, would I have to re-time anything if I do remove the crankshaft pulley?
You have to remove the timing belt, no way around it.
Just follow the procedure for timing belt replacement. Word of advice, If you are going to do all the work to replace the water pump, it might be worthwhile to consider replacing the belt as well.
To answer your questions:
Both the top and bottom timing belt covers need to be removed, and yes you do have to remove the crankshaft pulley to remove the lower cover.
Yes, you must remove (or at least loosen the belt) to remove the water pump since the belt also drives the pump. So yes, you do need to correctly time the engine again (both cams, and crankshaft).
dont forget the belt tensioner. no point in replacing the T/B and W/P and leaving the old one in there. with that said! I would also be prepared to change that fronts seal out as well…
BLKACK1 beat me to it. As long as you’re in there, replace all of those components (waterpump, belt, tensioner, tensioner spring, and oil seal).
I went OEM w/ my last t/belt & waterpump change, so I decided to upgrade to the Type R belt and pump. Cost was about the same because the LS belt is more expensive, while the Type R waterpump is more expensive. Therefore, the belt and waterpump off the Type R came out to about the same as the LS.
Don’t make the same mistake I almost did. I was ordering online & after ordering the belt/pump for the Type R, I almost ordered the oil seals incorrectly.
One other thing you may want to look into is the camshaft seals.
It is pointless to use a gsr/ type r water pump on an ls engine.
The LS pushes more water thru at the b18a/b operating speed. The vtec water pumps dont pump as fast cause they have to run lower speeds at higher rpm to keep the water from just cavitating.
