I am working on a 96LT1 with 60k miles for a buddy of mine. I am redoing everything new gaskets etc, water pump etc timing chain etc... I have it mostly bolted up, my question is does the driveshaft for the water pump have a little play. It spins very smooth before I intalled the timing cover and everything looked fine and when I rotated the rotating assembly it was smooth. But I was just wondering for peace of mind when everything was installed I jerked it back and forth when the timing cover was on and it had alittle side to side movement(nothing major) Just wanting to see if this is normal and that is it not suppose to be solid as a rock.

Thanks Mark Tisdale

 

My car has similar mileage to your buddy's and when I changed my waterpump the driveshaft had the play you are talking about.I would say it was perfectly normal.
All the best,Mark.

 

It's fine. No worries, m8!

 

Thanks guys!!!