The water pump on my '88 F-150 has decided that life just ain't worth living. I noticed my heater not working well so I looked under the truck. Anti-freeze was pooring out of the pump weap hole. I picked up the new pump and even the thermistat while I'm at it. I've got the truck in a big garage with a space heater so the actual work isn't bad. I got everything out of the way and began removing the pump. Now the party begins. Three of the six bolts have broke off. Another might even be stripped out. Tomorrow I will dive into the fun again and try to at least get the pump off the broken studs. It's really gonna be a bundle of joy getting those bolts out. Any help with this project would be great.... anyone done this before?

 

As old as it is, you may want to think about replacing the the timing chain and gears. Don't know how many miles you have on, but it may be worth it with everything already pulled off.

 

I replaced mine bout a year ago, no problems with the bolts though. That will be a pain, take your time, gettin in a hurry will make it worse. I also changed everything I could get to when I took my water pump off, especially the little molded bypass hose thats behind the water pump, worth replacin while your in there and they tend to be a problem. Good luck.

 

I got the pump off and jumped right into another disaster. It looks like the bolt head on the bottom of the pump has knocked a hole in the timing cover. I was hitting it pretty good with a hammer and it was hell getting off, but I don't know how that happened. It is right below the pump area and above the crank. What is required to replace that cover? I can't believe that happened. Looks like I'll be down and out for several more days. Any help is much appreciated.

 

Here's a tip for the future: heating up the bolts before you try to unscrew them will make them come right out like there brand new. A few extra minutes of heating can save you hours of drilling and tapping. I learned that fast working at a car dealership up here in the rustbelt. I envy mechanics down south...

The cover's not a big deal to replace and there fairly cheap, might even be easier to get at those broken water pump bolts with it off. Just pull the balencer off (you might need to borrow a puller from autozone) and unbolt the cover. Like kingfish said, if your goin that far you should throw a chain on it. If you get a haynes or chiltons manual it should give you step by step instructions.

-Jon

 

Thanks for all the help and tips. Ford4ever, that would be a good idea but I had no idea it was going to run into this mess. I'll be sure to do that next time. I have the timing cover on order. I got it from Jeg's along with all new bolts. They had the best price. I made sure it was a dull color and not super shinny chrome. I don't want one nice part surrounded by 10,000 parts that look like ****. LOL!
The cover and bolts reamed me out for $150. The dealer's cover alone was higher than that. I just hope that gets everything fixed up and I have enough bolt holes to get a good seal. It looks like I'm out of a truck until Monday. I'm just about ready to go to the Ford dealer and say, "Stroke me!"
I need a Powerstroke!

 

Well folks I'm bent over and reamed out. My impact wrench doesn't have the ***** to get the large bolt out of the harmonic ballancer. Looks like it's time to call the game and drag this sorry pile to the nearest dealer.
I'm looking at Powerstrokes tomorrow. Wish me luck!

 

WARNING: DONT GO LOOKING FOR POWERSTROKES. If you go looking I almost gaurantee you will own one with-in a week.

 

My luck has changed for the better and the truck should be running on Monday if all goes well. All I need now is a small miracle. I got everything apart and ready for the new timing cover coming by UPS. I picked up a new timing chain and sprockets today for just over $20. Mine has 190,000 on it and had about 1/4" of slack on the loose side. The new one I just put on is very tight. It scares me to look at how many new parts need a perfect seal to prevent oil or water from leaking.
I'm calling the dealer for info on Monday but can anyone tell me if any of these bolts need sealant? I know some pumps/covers need RVT or similar put on bolts if they go through a water jacket.

 

There is a white colored teflon sealant that you apply to the threaded ends of the bolts that enter the water jacket. The sealant comes in a small jar with a brush, its safer to use the sealant than have the bolts leak, and do it all over again.

 

I bet you guys are getting tired of hearing my complaints. I know I'm sure tired of dishing them out. This is turning into nothing less than an epic adventure. It's Tuesday afternoon and my parts should have been able to make it to my house yesterday. Still no parts. FedEx just called and said they can't find my house (they've been here before?). I give them directions and he said they'll have it here tomorrow. Wow thanks a lot, that's only three days late. I have decided that if it ever gets here I will fab my own block off plate to cover Jeg's mistake I pointed out in an above post. It will take some time to do but I think that is the only way to ever get this done. A Ford dealer 25 miles from my house has the cover in stock for $50 more than the cover from Jeg's. I still need the bolts that I ordered with the cover. What are the chances of all those bolts being the right ones? I haven't ever had so much trouble finishing a simple task, all thanks to the world being overrun with dumbasses.

 

I had the same freaking problem with my 86 F150. Yeah heat is always a good idea with these bolts.

1. Take the timing chain cover to a machine shop get them to drill out the old bolts and spot weld the hole you put in it.

2. Order ARP bolts for your truck. They all match.

3. Put some never seze on them bolts too before you slap em in.