Water Pump 88 3.8 March 16, 2008, 09:51:40 PM Have not done any mechanical work this size in awhile. I had done this pump years ago and now remembered how much fun it is moving the accessory brackets aside. The lower bolt nestled behind the power steering tank was the biggest challenge. Anyway, I broke off the head of a lower water pump bolt leaving about 1/2" thread length sticking out after removing the pump. Well, I am having someone with better tools come over tomorrow to extract it. My locking pliers won't do and I prefer not to make the situation worse. At least the bolt broke at the head. Word to the wise---use a hammer and tap the ratchet arm to loosen bolts--they appear to freeze up with corrosion. I used a pipe on the ratchet and simply twisted the head off. Quote Selected
Water Pump 88 3.8 Reply #1 – March 16, 2008, 11:08:54 PM ill bet it was one of those 1/4'' diamter long ass bolts to ,, right?they do corrode so if your smart, glob the **** out of it with grease and install it. Either that or use anti sieze Quote Selected
Water Pump 88 3.8 Reply #2 – March 17, 2008, 12:17:26 AM I just torque them way too much. If they break then there bad. Quote Selected
Water Pump 88 3.8 Reply #3 – March 17, 2008, 12:24:59 AM You could try welding a nut on it. Quote Selected
Water Pump 88 3.8 Reply #4 – March 17, 2008, 01:10:45 AM Quote from: softtouch;209506You could try welding a nut on it.I think its one of the small diameter 1/4'' bolts that is about 6'' long that passes through the water pump, then through the timing cover then through the engine block.They are very British cigaretteile. I ran my 3.8 without one for several years when mine broke in a hotel parking lot in hazleton pa back in 98. When i did my rebuild, i then was able to get the bolt out when i lifted the timing cover off. Quote Selected
Water Pump 88 3.8 Reply #5 – March 17, 2008, 10:57:44 AM Lower center of picture. It's just the water pump bolt. The mechanic who is coming here in the hour ahead seems to know what he is talking about for removing it. Quote Selected
Water Pump 88 3.8 Reply #6 – March 17, 2008, 09:25:42 PM Well. a "mechanic on wheels" came to my place to look at this bolt. After using a socket with an ingenious sleeve bearing inside it to grip the bolt----and then heat, he was convinced that the stubborn bolt was not going to come out without stripping the aluminum threads around it (he explained that as it only turned a quarter turn and then locked up again--it would strip out if he continued cranking on it). He told me that this was common with steel bolts and aluminum on old cars. He then sliced a cut (after telling me that this was an option), through the bolt frange mounting---see picture and removed the bolt. He cleaned all the holes with a thread tap--and I have since finished the job and tested the car---AOK. I am really glad that I stopped when I did with the damaged bolt. The mechanic did not really want to use heat on it because he was leary of the casing for the timing chain, etc... Seems he was a pro-----recommended by the parts store I bought the pump at. So luckily I did not have to have the T Bird towed out of my garage. For now.....a happy ending. Quote Selected
Water Pump 88 3.8 Reply #7 – March 18, 2008, 12:39:53 AM hummonly one weap hole on the water pump kneck eh? at the bottom? Quote Selected
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