waterpump removal

[amantedifiat]

Hi All,
In the process of removing the water pump and I just need to know how to remove the lower sheet metal
cover that is blocking access to a couple of the water pump bolts. I think I have all the bolts that hold the shroud on but
I just can't seem to get it off.
Any one gone through this?
Many thanks,
Mark

[courtenay]

Are you talking about the lower shroud that protects the lower part of the timing belt? If so, you're going to have to remove the crankshaft pulley to get it off. Doing this will mean replacing the timing belt as well. Most people do not replace this shroud once all this is done.

[amantedifiat]

Hi Bruce,
Thanks for the reply. The timing belt is not that old, (3 years). Could I just cut off that shroud and leave it off.
Also what else should I replace why I have gone to all this??
Thanks again,
Mark

[majicwrench]

IMHO the shroud is there for a reason, to protect the belt.
Three years is a long time. Seems to me these cars have really frequent change intervals on belts. And if it has been getting soaked with antifreeze that is not a good things.
Keith

[courtenay]

The recommended change interval on the timing belt is 30K miles, although I'm not sure what impact spilt anti freeze might have on the belt. Also not sure about cutting the shroud - I suspect it might rattle a lot if not reattached properly. If you do take the crank off, you will have to replace the belt. Others have recommended replacing the tensioner bearing as well as the camshaft seals while you are there. When I did my belt, the seals were fine as was the bearing, so I left them alone. I did change the water pump, though and did not put the shroud back on. I don't do any dirt/gravel/rain driving so I'm not too concerned about junk getting up into the belt.

[amantedifiat]

Thanks for the replies!
I will do the job the right way and will check everything while I am in there.
The car has just 60k on it but it is a 1980 and that was 31 years ago!
So if anyone else want to weigh in please do.
Thanks,
Mark

[124JOE]

they made several covers some have no plate behind them.mine was the kind without
one of the cars i striped had a plate in place but was cut and reinstaled.
ive seen my timing cover yellow,grey,painted bodt color and even none at all.

[dantye]

I've decided to bend the upper part of the metal shield out of the way temporarily to remove the water pump, then carefully bend it back in place. But it looks like my '81 water pump setup requires removing the timing belt tensioner pulley for the water pump to come out. Either that, or one stud at the bottom of the pump is keeping the water pump from moving sideways far enough to move out from under that tensioning pulley. I may try removing that stud then use a bolt to replace it. Has anyone encountered this problem?

The timing belt is only 2 years old with 5K miles, but If that doesn't work and the tensioning pulley has to come off, that means timing and is beyond me, so it will be tow truck & $ time and I might as well have the timing belt replaced again! At least I have all the parts bagged and marked.