LT1 Water Pump Replace Gen 4 Camaro

[@picklesgarage]

NOTE: Bit of a long video it is a detailed repair but make sure to watch the ending even if it means skipping to it for an important step to help prevent damage to your vehicle. ALSO I noticed I didn't point out you should use thread sealant for those 6 bolts. Permatex has a good high temp one. This helps avoid leaks and potential rusting. Thanks for watching!

[@alfred9775]

I saw you put green cooling in it make sure you have the GM one, I think it is not green, other than that nicely done.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

I've got a 1996 Buick Roadmaster sedan with the LT1 engine. I changed the water pump when I first got the car. But that was about a dozen years ago. And unfortunately it's time to change it again. The first time I did it I knew nothing about the LT1 engine and Optispark distributor. I got extremely lucky that I didn't destroy the Optispark, cause I drowned it. I'm not taking that chance again. I'm gonna pull the knock sensors to drain the engine completely. And while the water pump is off I'm gonna pull the Optispark and rebuild it. I bought the cheapest new Optispark I could but I'm not installing it. I'm using it for parts to rebuild the original one. Wish me luck! 🤞

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

The water pump drive shaft should have a rubber o-ring on the engine side of the drive shaft. You should always replace it with the water pump. Also inspect the Optispark distributor while the water pump is off. And if your water pump has been leaking for an extended period of time. You should also check the harmonic balancer for degradation. The rubber isolator between the inner and outer parts of the pulley can swell from absorbing coolant. Once the rubber gets bad enough, the balancer will separate. It can cause a good bit of damage if it happens while driving. And will leave you stranded

[@kurtjohn5554]

I changed the water pump on my 1995 Roadmaster which has an LT1 and I drove it for about 10 minutes and the water pump is blistering hot. It got up to operating temperatures and the hoses seemed to be a normal hot and puffy feel. Advice? Thx I didnt add that o-ring.

[@tomhall4266]

Good video. Very helpful...👍.

[@picklesgarage]

@tomhall4266 I appreciate it, thanks for watching!

[@wesaultman8220]

It’s a 19mm deepwell socket for the coolant temp sensor. The sending unit is on the drivers side of the engine.

[@mundanestuff]

I can smell this video. Looks like a fairly doable job, my wife's z28 just sprung a leak at the water pump too. How long do you think it would take if all ducks were in a row? You have the new pump, thermostat, gaskets, hoses, none of the clamps break, none of the bolts are stuck, etc? 2 hours?

[@picklesgarage]

It sure is distinct haha. Yeah 2 hours is about right but that's largely if you have the right tools. I do highly recommend those wobble extensions. Maybe you could get a hand in there but it's a pain and trying to use a straight extension you'll run into pullys. The points a step goes from 30 min to hours will be stuck bolts/bad angles and scrapping old gasket off the block. I will say if you have the time to have the car down for a bit I recommend replacing the opti spark as well. I have a video on the cheaper solution of just replacing the cap on my page. Thing is when the pump leaks it often damages the opti if not right away you may notice performance issues soon thereafter whoch require the pump to come off again. I wished I had done it all in one go the first time. Good luck to ya and thanks for watching.

[@nancieventers3791]

Great video. It has helped with everything but one thing. The middle bolt on the drivers side has some sort of bracket. I'm thinking that I may have to remove the mounting bracket and whatever it is holding. Any suggestions? I'm thinking this is some sort of power steering pump???? Thank you.

[@picklesgarage]

@nancieventers3791 Hey, I'm not sure mine didn't have anything connected. Is it just that it's harder to get to? Best bet for me on those is the wobble extensions, helps work different angles. Might have to play around with a deep socket instead. The power steering on mine at least is the other side on the passenger side, the wheel immediately under the alternator. Would be interesting if someone modified it back the the driver side unless it's part of the coil for the optispark? What year is yours? Hope this helps but if not let me know more and I will see what I can do. Thanks for watching

[@nancieventers3791]

​@@picklesgarageits a 1994

[@nancieventers3791]

​@@picklesgarageI will send a picture of the part if you don't mind.

[@picklesgarage]

@nancieventers3791 yeah that works I am not sure I can get pictures here but I think you can message thru Instagram on my page

[@nancieventers3791]

@@picklesgarage It was the air pump and bracket. I traced the part number and then researched how to delete it.

[@oSS-car]

Hello, what brand of pump are you using, what brand would you recommend besides OEM?

[@picklesgarage]

This is an ACDelco. That's typically what auto part stores carry. I usually go on the website rockauto, gives you some options to choose from. Some stuff I use it to save some money by getting the cheaper version others I get the nicer products if it's a more important part but you'll still save by using them on the same products you would have got at the store.

[@NoahSchuler-wf5ch]

Why wouldn't you replace the optispark while you already have it apart

[@picklesgarage]

Yep, I have that in the description of the video and it's part of the comments during it. I also have a separate video where I replace the opti. I just made it two different repairs. Thanks for watching.

[@barneythedog977]

Sir what kind of gaskets did you use and did you use RTV sealant thanks

[@picklesgarage]

@barneythedog977 Hello, I used the paper gaskets that came with the water pump. No additional RTV, though I did use a thread sealant on the bolts. That all should be sufficient as long as you have an extremely clean surface on the block. I removed the old gasket with a razor. Rtv can work but you have to be careful not to over do it and have material floating around in the system so I'd recommend the paper gaskets that should come with your new pump. Hope this helps, thanks for watching.

[@barneythedog977]

@@picklesgarage I have the ones from AC DELCO and a set on the way of FELPRO, 2 emails from FELPRO assuring that their gaskets go on clean dry surface (i razored it to nice clean surface ) and that's all I do. BUT the AC delco instructions say I must use a RTV sealant with fiber type gaskets or it might leak down the line. It is so damn irritating no one agrees lol. Thanks for the insight and help!

[@picklesgarage]

@barneythedog977 Haha tell me about it. Some will say you need it, some will say it won't work if you have it. That's always the funniest comments I'll have on videos will be people acting like something is obviously done one way and then another comment will be how it's obviously done the opposite. I can put your mind at ease though that I did it as I described and it doesn't leak a drop. I think there's a right way to do it either way but mine works just fine as is. I will say as I always recommend on this video that it's worth checking on your optispark while it's all apart. I have a video on the process. Whether you get just a cap or the whole opti it's essentially the same steps but it will save you. I had to do the water pump job twice when my opti went out weeks later.

[@barneythedog977]

@@picklesgarage excellent advice, my freaking opti was leaked on slowly for years I guess, I got the 95 vet this year on fathers day, it was a coincidence on that day, lol not a gift . but I am saying a few months ago or so. I was shocked how dirty the area behind the pump was and the filth from the water pump shaft bearings seal being totally apart and ball bearings are showing. I have seen it on some other channel on here too. I THANK GOD my opti is still fine. I will watch your video now. THANKS

[@picklesgarage]

@barneythedog977 Yeah bit of a rough design on these. I appreciate it, have a good one!