How to Repair a Water Pump on a Chevrolet El Camino

Things You'll Need:

• Wrench set
• Waste oil collection pan
• Pliers
• Socket set
• Masking tape
• Marker
• Flat razor blade
• RTV silicone sealant
• Antifreeze
  
  
  Draining the Cooling System
  
  
  
  
  1. Park the El Camino on a level surface.
     
  2. Disconnect the ground cable from the negative battery terminal by loosening the retaining bolt with a wrench. Then pull the clamp off the terminal.
     
  3. Locate the petcock valve on the lower left corner of the radiator, and place a waste oil collection underneath it.
     
  4. Open the petcock valve by turning it counterclockwise with pliers. Allow the radiator to drain completely, then close the valve.
  
  
  
  
  Removing the Engine Fan and Shroud
  
  
  
  1. Unscrew the bolts that connect the radiator fan shroud to the radiator, using a socket. Slide the shroud back toward the engine.
     
  2. Unscrew the bolts that connect the radiator fan to the water pump hub, using a wrench.
     
  3. Lift the fan upward to remove it from the Chevy.
     
  4. Lift the shroud up to remove it from the vehicle.
  
  
  
  
  Removing the Alternator
  
  
  
  
  1. Loosen but do not remove the alternator mounting bolts, using a socket.
     
  2. Slide the alternator toward the engine.
     
  3. Pull the drive belt off the alternator, water pump and crankshaft pulleys, using your hands. Then remove the belt from the vehicle.
     
  4. Pull the pulley off the water pump hub, and remove it from the vehicle.
     
  5. Label and disconnect the wiring from the back of the alternator, using masking tape and a marker.
     
  6. Unscrew the bolts that connect the alternator to the mounting bracket, using a socket.
     
  7. Pull the alternator away from the mounting bracket, and remove it from the vehicle.
     
  8. Unscrew the bolts that connect the alternator mounting bracket to the water pump, using a socket.
  
  
  
  
  Removing the Water Pump
  
  
  
  
  1. Loosen the hose clamp that connects the lower radiator hose to the water pump, using a socket.
     
  2. Pull the lower radiator hose off the water pump by hand.
     
  3. Loosen the hose clamp that connects the heater hose to the water pump, using a socket.
     
  4. Pull the heater hose off the water pump.Unscrew the bolts that secure the water pump to the engine block.
     
  5. Pull the water pump away from the engine block, and remove it from the vehicle.
  
  
  
  
  Installing the El Camino Water Pump
  
  
  1. Clean the water pump mounting surface on the engine block, using a flat razor blade.
     
  2. Coat both sides of the new water pump gaskets with a thin layer of RTV silicone.
     
  3. Place the gaskets in position on the engine block.
     
  4. Lower the new water pump into position. Screw in the bolts that connect the water pump to the engine block, using a socket.
     
  5. Slide the heater hose onto the water pump. Tighten the hose clamp that secures the hose to the water pump, using a socket.
     
  6. Slide the lower radiator hose onto the water pump. Tighten the hose clamp that secures the lower radiator hose to the water pump, using a socket.
  
  
  
  
  Reinstalling the El Camino  Alternator
  
  
  
  1. Lower the alternator mounting bracket into position. Screw in the bolts that connect the alternator mounting bracket to the water pump.
     
  2. Slide the alternator into position. Use your hand to loosely screw in the bolts that connect the alternator to the mounting bracket; do not tighten.
     
  3. Reconnect the wiring harness to the back of the alternator, using the labels made during disassembly.
     
  4. Slide the water pump pulley onto the water pump hub.
     
  5. Loosely lay the drive belt over the crankshaft, water pump and alternator pulleys. 
  
  
  
  
  Reinstalling the El Camino  Fan and Shroud
  
  
  
  1. Lower the radiator fan shroud into position between the radiator and the engine.
     
  2. Drop the radiator fan into position between the radiator and fan shroud.
     
  3. Screw in the bolts that connect the radiator fan to the water pump, using a socket.
     
  4. Slide the radiator fan forward against the radiator.
     
  5. Screw in the bolts that connect the radiator shroud to the radiator.
     
  6. Slide the alternator away from the engine until the drive belt is tight.
     
  7. Tighten the alternator mounting bolts. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Refill the Cooling System
  
  
  1. Open the radiator cap by pressing down on it and turning it counterclockwise.
     
  2. Refill the radiator with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.
     
  3. Reconnect the ground cable to the negative battery terminal by sliding the clamp over the terminal. Tighten the retaining bolt with a wrench.
     
  4. Start the engine and allow it to run for five to 10 minutes with the radiator cap off. This will bleed air from the cooling system.
     
  5. Stop the engine and add more coolant if necessary.