I bought a new water pump and I plan on putting it in either today or tomorrow. Is it hard to replace a water pump on these engines? (305 TBI).How long would it take? Ive replaced a water pump on my Ford van before and it wasnt too difficult.

 

Its easy as heck, just messy. I HATE dealing with coolant. There is lots of little stuff to take off, so Id label and use small ziplock bags for all the fan shroud bolts and such. The whole job should take about 4 hours going at an easy pace. Good luck.

 

4 hours ouch? took me about 45 minutes, you dont need to remove the fan shroud, oh it will give you more room but not nessasary, you do know how to remove the serp belt right? half inch drive ratchet on the tensioner, and pull it left to slackin belt! and make sure your serp diagram sticker is there? or remember how it goes back on. Also the pump you got is reverse rotation i hope? some parts stores screw that up alot. anyway piece of cake hurley.

 

If you have the serpintine belt the pump is right between the brackets and is easy as pie! Nothing to remove except the belt, loosen the pully first if you want. Electric fan is even easier

 

.... 4 bolts for the waterpump

1 to loosen the alternator so you can loosen the belt

4 bolts for the fan iirc

Make shure you change the thermostat also, they go out hand in hand w/ the waterpump.

 

There is full serpintine belt in 88. 87 had a half serpintine, half v belt mix. The 88 will have a tensioner. The alternator wont move.