Firstfives.org

I got a new water pump today from Ebay. Trying to remove the old one, and 2 of the 4 allen bolts are stripped inside.

Any hints for removal before I drill them out, or is that the only way? I'll need new ones either way, and can't get to the 6th and last WP bolt without rwmoving flange and pulley.

I already removed the grilles and a/c radiator to prep for drilling them out.


I hate when a 2 hour job becomes an overnight, have to wait til morning job.

Already stripped is the bummer, because I've never met an ez out that was easy. Not coming to me how/where there are allen bolts, but you've got what you've got. ( Check realoem.com before assembly ?)

I've used one of those little bottle torches, they sell hotter versions, to do the iron / aluminum expand, contract thing.

My fan clutch was held onto the water pump with 4 allen head bolts. I drilled 2 out, and now have normal hex bolts in their place.

The pump wasn't leaking or making noise, but when I pulled it, I found it to be a cheapo with a stamped steel impeller that was heavily encrusted. Way too encrusted to efficiently move the coolant.

I bought a $31 water pump on ebay, and it has a cast, flat bottomed impeller. The car runs cool now, and I didn't even have to replace the radiator or have it rodded out as I had planned.

I've been super lucky with easy outs-on other people's cars, but can never get them to work on my own cars when I need them.

update:

"Hepu" german made water pump (purchased on Ebay) failed in less than one month. Good news: full Ebay refund.

Good on the refund, but the best water pumps I've seen are GMB with stamped steel impellers. Pump more water and last 100K. A winner in my book.

The stamped steel one I removed wasn't lasting 100k, that's for sure. It looked to be encrusted with barnacles. Somebody wasn't maintaining their cooling system. It was the PO.

Looking for pumps, I had a hard time finding out the mfr. without actually special ordering the part. Most local parts houses have no idea what brand the pump will be until it arrives. I needed to buy locally so I could get driving again. The ppump I have installed now has a cast impeller and was made in Italy.

Please, name & location of where you bought the pump?
Was it a fair price? Do you recommend this place?

I bought my current pump at "E.T.Y. Import Parts" in Eagle Rock. They can get nearly any part I need in about 2 hours, and they're close enough that I can ride my bike there. It's a family business, owned by a Filipino father and son. The specialize in asian and german import parts. They're awesome.

The pump was $74 with tax, but it was worth it. They had it on the shelf.


BTW, when looking for a waterpump for a bolt-on fan for your '80 or '81, ask them to look up the pump for '79. The big stores (AZ, PB, Kragen) all list 2 pumps for '80-'81. One is the screw-on fan style and the other isn't even for a BMW.