I'll be doing this in my driveway tomorrow and I was wondering about how long it took you guy's to do it. This is my first for an LT1 and I just have basic tools and a Haynes manual. Hopefully I can have it done in under 3 hours. Some local shop quoted me $625! I said, F-that! I'll do it myself.

 

If its your first time, it will take awhile. Dpeneds how mechanically inclined you are. I've seen people take 3 hours and some take 6. I would say the average person can do it in 3. You need to remove air pump and stuff to change it. Just take your time.

 

The most painful part of the waterpump replacement is removing the old gaskets, in my opinion. But yea, figure about 6 or more hours the first time you do it if you never did something like that before.

 

Thanks for the quick replies! Would you mind commenting on whether or not to jack the front end up? I don't have access to a torque wrench, when I put the new pump back on about how tight should I crank the bolts? Is sealant necessary on the threads and gaskets? When filling the coolant, should I pour through the t-stat housing as well as the radiator?

Thanks,
Chris

 

No need to jack up the front end.
I have a torque wrench but was too lazy to use it. Just make sure you tighten them well.
The waterpump has 6 bolts holding it in place. It will look like there's only 4 at first, but if you look carefully, you will notice one behind the pulley on the passenger side and one behind the AIR pump bracket on the driver side. You will need to remove that bracket.
I didn't use any sealant on the threads, but I did however use some RTV on the gaskets.
I just refilled the coolant through the radiator. Make sure you bleed the air out of the system properly.

Here's a guide on how to do it.

 

Took me 6hrs the first time, now I think I could easily do it in 2.5hrs.

I did it the first time with no manual, no guide, and no way to jack the car up.

 

you should get an electric water pump only $135.....then if/when you replace it it will only take about 30 minutes