I have an 1988 GMC Jimmy 2.8l and the water pump went out on it. I really dont even recall ever having to replace the water pump in this. I was worried about the removing the bolts but all them came out easy except for one of the bigger bolts. A bolt next to it was a little difficult to losen. It did have a little corrosion on it. So I suspect thats whats wrong with this bigger one. The head ended up stripping out trying with a lot of force to get it to break free (It was a T50 size). So I then just cut the head off to remove the old pump. I have sprayed a lot of WD40 up in the threads and let it soak for a couple days. The remaining bolt stud just refuses to budge any. The only way I can grip it hard enough is with a pipe wrench. But the bolt stud finally gives by the wrench cutting in.
So I can only think of two options left for me.
- Install the new pump and gasket and hope it does not leak around this area where it will be missing a bolt.
- Install the new pump and attempt to tap a smaller hole and insert a small bolt in the stud of what remains of this old bolt.
How does this sound? Any other ideas out there?
I hope this can last at least another 6 months or so as its my sons and he just got a good job so he can get him another car.
TIA