ckuske Posted September 27, 2020 Author Share Posted September 27, 2020 OK, so I've been able to make a little bit of progress on my cooling system replacement. I was able to remove the drain the radiator, and remove it along with the fan shroud. I had never removed something that had a flare nut on it (trans cooler lines) so that was fun. WD40 was involved. Now, I'm trying to remove all the belts so I can remove the fan clutch, and replace the water pump and thermostat. I have loosed all the bolts on the power steering pump - I believe the bolt on the lower left hand side of the pump is the one that allows the pump to pivot towards the engine so the bolt loosens and moves on a crescent shaped channel towards the block. I've tried to move the pump, and it's just not budging. Any tips? This is Mechanics 101 for a lot of you, but I'm constantly learning in here, so thanks! As a reminder, this is a 302 with air and a smog pump as well (if you want to anticipate further belt removal questions from me, haha) Oh, if you look at the beginning of my thread I commented about A/C not working. I determined today that both high and low sides of the system do not have any pressure (quickly pressed down on the valve stem, and nothing came out). I'm assuming that basically all the refrigerant is missing. Not going to diagnose the leak right now, but I figured it might be a good time to swap out for a new condenser since I'm working on everything from the water pump forward. I don't want to pollute more than I have to, so my question is: If there is no pressure, can I freely swap A/C components out or should I still have it evacuated as a precaution? Is any refrigerant lurking in the system in other words... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 OK, so I've been able to make a little bit of progress on my cooling system replacement. I was able to remove the drain the radiator, and remove it along with the fan shroud. I had never removed something that had a flare nut on it (trans cooler lines) so that was fun. WD40 was involved. Now, I'm trying to remove all the belts so I can remove the fan clutch, and replace the water pump and thermostat. I have loosed all the bolts on the power steering pump - I believe the bolt on the lower left hand side of the pump is the one that allows the pump to pivot towards the engine so the bolt loosens and moves on a crescent shaped channel towards the block. I've tried to move the pump, and it's just not budging. Any tips? This is Mechanics 101 for a lot of you, but I'm constantly learning in here, so thanks! As a reminder, this is a 302 with air and a smog pump as well (if you want to anticipate further belt removal questions from me, haha) Chris - I think the long bolt, 383721, that is shown in the illustration below just above the pulley is what it rotates on. And it slides on 370608. So both of those have to be loosened. And bracket 3A732 as well as the pump itself rotates. As for the A/C, if you pushed the valve and there's no pressure then there's really nothing left to recover. So you can pull the condenser and replace it. But I wouldn't leave the system open for any longer than you have to as that allows moisture and other things to get in. But, there's really not much to a condenser. It is just a long tube with fins welded to it. So there's not much to go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckuske Posted September 30, 2020 Author Share Posted September 30, 2020 Chris - I think the long bolt, 383721, that is shown in the illustration below just above the pulley is what it rotates on. And it slides on 370608. So both of those have to be loosened. And bracket 3A732 as well as the pump itself rotates. As for the A/C, if you pushed the valve and there's no pressure then there's really nothing left to recover. So you can pull the condenser and replace it. But I wouldn't leave the system open for any longer than you have to as that allows moisture and other things to get in. But, there's really not much to a condenser. It is just a long tube with fins welded to it. So there's not much to go wrong. Thank you Gary! Loosened those bolts a little more and then “helped” the bracket with a hammer. :) It then pivoted and the belt came right off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted September 30, 2020 Share Posted September 30, 2020 Thank you Gary! Loosened those bolts a little more and then “helped” the bracket with a hammer. :) It then pivoted and the belt came right off. I'm glad it worked. I forgot to say that I think there's a square hole in that bracket for a ratchet to fit into so you can tension the belt. I think it is 1/2". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckuske Posted October 4, 2020 Author Share Posted October 4, 2020 I'm glad it worked. I forgot to say that I think there's a square hole in that bracket for a ratchet to fit into so you can tension the belt. I think it is 1/2". Thanks Gary, I saw that in the Haynes manual I purchased. Not totally in love with it though, but cross referencing between it and the drawing on your site makes it go for the most part. I wasn't expecting to have to take off the A/C and PS bracket so that was fun. I had to stop to BBQ for dinner tonight, but I got seven water pump bolts out. Most were just over hand tight which was concerning. There was grease all over them - threads included. I'm sure that didn't help. I understand you can grease the shoulder (non-threaded area) so they don't seize, but the whole thing? I believe I have all the bolts out (got distracted like I said), but I must not because the pump isn't budging. Aside from me missing one, how hard should it be to get the pump off? Should it almost fall off, or is some effort expected? And don't get me started on the radiator hoses - I pull with pretty much all I've got and they won't come off. Any tricks? I can cut them off as I don't plan on reusing them, but was wondering if there was a trick. I hope you all are enjoying your Sunday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Thanks Gary, I saw that in the Haynes manual I purchased. Not totally in love with it though, but cross referencing between it and the drawing on your site makes it go for the most part. I wasn't expecting to have to take off the A/C and PS bracket so that was fun. I had to stop to BBQ for dinner tonight, but I got seven water pump bolts out. Most were just over hand tight which was concerning. There was grease all over them - threads included. I'm sure that didn't help. I understand you can grease the shoulder (non-threaded area) so they don't seize, but the whole thing? I believe I have all the bolts out (got distracted like I said), but I must not because the pump isn't budging. Aside from me missing one, how hard should it be to get the pump off? Should it almost fall off, or is some effort expected? And don't get me started on the radiator hoses - I pull with pretty much all I've got and they won't come off. Any tricks? I can cut them off as I don't plan on reusing them, but was wondering if there was a trick. I hope you all are enjoying your Sunday! Chris - The fact that the bolts had the grease on the is probably why you got them out without twisting them off. They frequently rust and seize if not thoroughly lubed. I have always used anti-seize all over them, and that works, but Jim recently introduced me to Loctite PST, which is good for preventing seizing. As for getting the pump off, I’ve had to whack them with a mallet. And getting hoses off usually requires slipping a small screwdriver under it and prying up. Work all the way around, breaking the tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpin Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Chris - The fact that the bolts had the grease on the is probably why you got them out without twisting them off. They frequently rust and seize if not thoroughly lubed. I have always used anti-seize all over them, and that works, but Jim recently introduced me to Loctite PST, which is good for preventing seizing. As for getting the pump off, I’ve had to whack them with a mallet. And getting hoses off usually requires slipping a small screwdriver under it and prying up. Work all the way around, breaking the tension. I use one of these. Very handy tool. Poor picture on the website. I’ll add mine. https://shop.snapon.com/product/Soft-Grip-Hose-Picks/Soft-Grip-Radiator-Hose-Pick/SGA173BR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckuske Posted October 5, 2020 Author Share Posted October 5, 2020 I use one of these. Very handy tool. Poor picture on the website. I’ll add mine. https://shop.snapon.com/product/Soft-Grip-Hose-Picks/Soft-Grip-Radiator-Hose-Pick/SGA173BR Thanks for the feedback! I have something similar lying around in the garage, I'll have to find it. Never occurred to me to use that, but makes perfect sense! Got the water pump knocked loose - just needed a couple light slams haha. I keep having to remember myself that lots of this stuff on this truck is more durable than what I'm used to in my day job... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckuske Posted October 10, 2020 Author Share Posted October 10, 2020 Thanks for the feedback! I have something similar lying around in the garage, I'll have to find it. Never occurred to me to use that, but makes perfect sense! Got the water pump knocked loose - just needed a couple light slams haha. I keep having to remember myself that lots of this stuff on this truck is more durable than what I'm used to in my day job... OK guys, I've gotten the water pump off and I'm gonna start scraping off the old gasket material, and order parts. I've hit a snag with the A/C condenser though - I'm using a 3/4" open end wrench on one nut, and an adjustable wrench on the other (1" maybe?) and I cannot get the A/C lines off the condenser not matter how hard I try. I've tried WD-40 (not really rusty though) and I can't get them to budge on either line (from compressor to condenser, and accumulator to condenser). Any suggestions? Even though nothing comes out of the A/C servicing ports, I'm afraid that perhaps its still pressurized and that's why I can't loosen the fittings (this is probably a remote thing IMO though) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 OK guys, I've gotten the water pump off and I'm gonna start scraping off the old gasket material, and order parts. I've hit a snag with the A/C condenser though - I'm using a 3/4" open end wrench on one nut, and an adjustable wrench on the other (1" maybe?) and I cannot get the A/C lines off the condenser not matter how hard I try. I've tried WD-40 (not really rusty though) and I can't get them to budge on either line (from compressor to condenser, and accumulator to condenser). Any suggestions? Even though nothing comes out of the A/C servicing ports, I'm afraid that perhaps its still pressurized and that's why I can't loosen the fittings (this is probably a remote thing IMO though) They can be a bear to get apart. I think I held one wrench and hit the other with a mallet or dead-blow hammer to get some loose. And I remember getting other wrenches positioned where I could squeeze them together with both hands, making sure that I didn't get fingers in between them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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