OK guys, I need some final thoughts before I finish this car up.

I just replaced the opti and made sure the splines were matched up. I made sure all the new plug wires were routed to the correct places and plugged all connections on the opti. I replaced the oil pressure indicator and oil level sensor (both were broken) and plugged them back up. I filled the engine with new oil and replaced filter. When I replaced the water pump I put new paper gaskets on (I did not put any silicone on the gaskets) and tightened all 6 bolts so they were nice and tight. I connected all the water hoses back to the pump and am getting ready to filler the coolant up and put the fans back in place.

After all the work I did I cant help but feel like I missed something or did something wrong. Can you guys please take what you learned from your experience with this kind of job and let me know. Im afraid of filling everything back up and putting the rest together only to find out I missed something or did something wrong.

Sorry this is so long but I appreciate your thoughts on this.

Matt

 

Not sure about the real name but did you remember the water pump connector shaft? It's a short circular metal pipe (about 1.5" long) that connects the block pump gear to the water pump.

Hal

 

Damnit I have forgotten that piece at least twice. Very frustrating. Opti harness!

 

I used to turn the car over and run for a few seconds with only the opti on to confirm all was correct before I reinstalled the WP and dampener.

 

Also A great idea!^^^

 

Hal, where is that piece your talking about? Do you have a picture of that part?

So I guess its ok to run the car for a few minutes with out coolant?

 

I said seconds not minutes. Literally 10 seconds or so is all I would run just to make sure it would idle correctly.

 

Thanks guys!

I quit being a baby about it and just filled her up and started it. Surprisingly it started and idled pretty good, no leaks as far as I can tell so tomorrow I will take it for a test drive and see if the problem is fixed and make sure I didn’t create any other problems.

If all goes well I will post a new post with links to the problems I was having so someone can use what I learned and save themselves some time and money trouble shooting. Like I said, if all goes well...

 

The piece I was talking about is this

 

Thanks Hal. I am pretty sure that piece stayed connected to either the block or the WP when I disassembled. The splined shaft seemed to fit back into place the same as when I removed the pump.

BTW, for anyone watching this thread, I may not get to test drive the car today unless the thunderstorms stop.