Years ago father in law had a flat nose 73 Ford Sportsmobile camper van conversion. He and his wife put 145,000 miles on it before it bit the dust and burned a couple valves. He was one of those " All don't mess with it, it will be OK" types . I had to wait for those two to leave town for the week in their Chevy to get my hands on that 73 van. After new valves and a valve job, water pump, timing chain ,rebuilt starter, alternator and carb, a new complete exhaust system was installed. Later we (my wife, his daughter), returned it to the same spot where we borrowed it. When they drove it in my drive, both had tears in their eyes. Seems like the old folks appreciated things a little more. lol.
This is the first video where eric started framing the video with the car in the background and giving a brief summary of the issue the car was having. This is the birth of his style.
Man, I had a van like this back in the day. Changing the water pump was such a challenge I decided to sell it after I finished. Where was this video when I needed it back in 1988?!? These are great vids. You're a natural-born teacher. Thanks, Doc.
Jeff Collins i believe this was thie first video i watched on yohr channel way back in 2014. Ive been watching everyone of your vids ever since. Been a sub for a long time and love all your videos.
Thank you so much im living out a 1988 chevy g30 rv and you literally saved my ass thank you so much for all the details and easy explaining all through the entire job.
I’m in the middle of this job on my 94 Chevy right now. Thank you for this. Only took me 90 minutes to remove the fan shroud (rusted screws). I’m in for a long job.
how did you get the fan schroud off? did you disconnect the a/c line? i have a 94 too and the schroud comes in two parts and i could not get it off because of the a/c line. one guy on youtube simply cut the schroud into pieces to get it off.
@@bobrenaldo467 I remember it being difficult and not fun. After it was unscrewed I managed to push it in and bend and tilt it to squeeze under the AC line (towards the left side). I had my son pulling the radiator forward and pushing hoses out of the way and I not so gently squeezed it under the A/C. I just replaced my A/C so I was extra careful not to put too much pressure on it. It was easier to get back in. Hope you got it.
Thank you for this video! I recently bought a 95 g20 Chevy van and need to replace the water pump. Between this video and the chiltons manual I bought, I should be able to do it. Thanks again!
Great video. I've been dreading changing out the water pump on my '95 G20 for some time but the puddle grew recently so it had to be done. Only thing I did different was instead of putting the fan back on first then the belt I instead put the pulley on, used one nut to hold it in place, then put the serpentine belt on, then installed the fan. It made it much easier to fish the belt over all the pulley wheels without the fan being in the way. Thanks for taking the time to record this video.
I just want to thank you for this video. I replaced a water pump in my 1987 Chevy van G20. Your instructions were perfect. I will be looking at you for more information.
you really did an excellent job of explaining each step in the process and made this fairly difficult job look very routine. thanks for sharing these valuable tips and taking the extra time to video this procedure. also i would not have thought to put the teflon paste at the end of the 4 bolts going into the pump until you explained they were also going into the water jacket. reading it in a haynes manual is just not the same as hands on experience.
Hi Eric, just a quick note on installing parts in tight and difficult to get at places. I do a fair amount of car repairs and on the modern vehicles the general lack of room to work in is often a problem and presents its own challenges. To that end, I have prepared various sized and lengths of blank studs, that I screw into the mounting holes prior to installing the part. Once a couple of bolts are installed, the blank studs are easy to remove. That helps to keep caskets etc in the proper places and additionally is a easy way to "find the right place" to install the part. Not trying to teach any chickens to lay eggs, just pointing out my way of doing things. Thanks for the many videos on your channel, as every day is a school day, no matter how experienced we are. Cheers from Indonesia. Keep wrenching man!
I'm glad the van you're working on is actually a GMC Vandura like mine (but a couple years older). I know it's the same thing, but gives me a little reassurance. I have to replace my pump soon, and this was a big help! Thanks for posting it...
Thanks for the video!! Haynes just doesnt compare to watching it get done. Got the old one off and new one on, fully reassembled in about 4 hours total.
I got a funny story for you, Years ago I did spark plugs on a Chevy Astro van for my brother-in-law. I got some of the plug from the dog house and some from under the van. I was under it and removed a plug and low and behold it looked brand new, It was because it was one that I just did from the top. I don't know how much blood that I lost that day but it was a lot. Lots of sharp edges on those.
just came across this and it is very helpful(2023) add one thing I'm going to install a new thermostat veery gooo video . no messing around ...Job done
Love the hi tach spray. I use it all the time. Another trick with it is to spray a bunch on your hand and run for the bathroom. Looks like blood, freaks out the secretary
I had the A/C compressor replaced on my early '90s van. The shop that did the work crossed the windshield washer tank and vacuum ball hoses during the project. It ran great for about 5 seconds until the engine sucked the washer tank dry. No long term problems, just pulled the spark plugs and blew all of the washer fluid out of the cylinders.
I had a 85 conversion van. AC never did work, had the trans rebuilt, alternators 3 (Autozone) and a water pump. Burnt a hole in the brake line changing the battery once. Brazed it shut while it was running. Ran great, sold it to a guy at a carnival.
Excellent video. I like the videos on old chevy or gmc trucks because I have one. Mine's 30 years old so I don't expect you'll ever see one that old up there in the rust belt. I'm in Florida. It's not even a restoration. Just old, lol.
I did every thing from under van . No need to undo every thing from top,especially on front and rear air thats working. Take fan off and lean against a rag on the radiator.Remove fan belt and then four water pump bolts. Make sure to glue gaskets on because its a tight it going in
Scott alan good to hear you did this the way I plan to do it (from underneath). what part number did u use for the pump? I found several different part numbers that vary in size
@@Machewching I'd say if you have more than 1 vehicle, take the water pump off and bring it in. But there should only be 1 if everything's correct while looking it up
I once replaced the water pump on an S10 blazer in the desert on a hot engine as the sun was going down. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't my favorite thing
I have an 84 GMC Vandura Van and whenever I have to do a job on the engine like replace a water pump or an alternator I remove the upper latch on the hood. After bumping my head about three times on it I decided to just remove it until my project is done. Only two bolts, Good for your head. ................................'Just saying Mike
A neat trick I learned from working on riding mowers and cars. Put the ribbed part of the belt on the rubbed pulleys and the top(flat) parts on the flat pulleys. Never had that fail me
My Dad was a mechanic in the 70’s and He would make gaskets using ball peen hammer. He also used a product called “Indian Head” Copper spray on head gaskets and all other gaskets.
Ha, did I get a chuckle when you said these vans are your least favourite to work on. I spent many years on the line with GM building those . Know how you feel . LOL
Dont have to worry about the .080 extra body thickness with that 'Tough one' water pump thank god-- I prefer permatex for gasket sealer and it also holds it well too, the old school shellac works well. Pump probably rusted through from the inside due to that nasty anti-freeze or at least a contributing factor- always nice to have a van with no exhaust
Nice video, I'm getting ready to do this on a 95 G20 and though I have changed my share of Chevy pumps, I decided to watch this before I start to be sure there's no surprises. Nicely done, one thing you should mention is how long it took to complete. That would give us amateurs a rough idea how long it will take us by taking your time and doubling it! LOL
i bought a can of high tack that you brush on and its black in color and man that was just more like no tack or slight tack in 1hr haha, i have since thrown it in the trash
I honestly thought that i was the only one that had a "gasket hammer" in my tool box.... the smallest Mac ball peen hammer..... PERFECT for cutting gaskets...... Thank you for showing these milleniels how WE did it back in the boomer day...... LOL.... (that means lots of lettuce .... right?)
on these chevy water pumps you need to make sure all the bolts on that plate on the back of the new pump are tight. seen these leak before on new pumps
The spray is to "glue" the gasket to the waterpump. The gasket will seal to the block without the spray. Also, the spray between the gasket and the block would make the next water pump replacement a lot more work to get the mating surface clean
Worst water pump job I ever did was on an older Ford van with a 302 outside in 3 degrees f with -20ish windchill and fairly heavy snow falling. ...you cant choose your family...
Ah these early videos. Your mannerisms and 'way of talking' started reminding me like Red Green when he did the Handy Man Corner segment of his show. (except you know what you're talking about...and you're not always surrounded by old K-Cars.....) Have a good day!
Just to let everyone know I replaced the lower intake gaskets on a 98 olds cutlass w/ a 3.1L that was the biggest and longest job I've ever undertaken, the only thing though is I miss placed one of the bolts that hold down the throttle cable bracket...... all in all I'd say it was a complete success replaced the thermostat and water pump at the same time. :D :D
Great vid Eric! I have a 86 jeep j20 360, that I plan on changing the water pump out on. hopefully its similar to the Chevy . I do know that the gasket is quite different ( one large beast that surrounds the entire pump) and it has a whole lot of bolts. Would you still recommend installing the gasket dry in this case? or would you use the gasket goop. again good job teaching.
am in the process of doing the same to my 94 G20 Sportsvan. only difference is I took out the grill, radiator a/c condenser, well the whole front end, so that I can put in a new radiator, water pump, and paint some things Chevy orange. A pain? yes, but I love the way is looking. By the way, didn't you forget to attach the 3/4 in. hose back on the water pump?
That port is blocked off, see 15:22. The same water pump design is used on ~40 years of small-block Chevy engines, with minor variations. This one is probably like my old 4.3 TBI S10 where the heater hoses go to the radiator and a port on the intake manifold; the only hose on the H2O pump itself is the lower radiator hose. A useful trick I've heard is to buy a couple cheap bolts that are the same size as the water pump bolts but about an inch longer. Cut off the heads and saw a slot into the end so you can use a flat screwdriver. Screw them into the block, slide the water pump over them, install the other two real bolts, then replace these "installation studs" with the proper bolts one at a time. Easy peasy, no gaskets or bolts dropped!
'Vans are my least favourite vehicle to work on' I hear ya. I own one to get my dirtbikes where they need to go. Sometimes I want to just rip every piece of cowling, cover and panel off the stupid thing, weld a frame for the seat and drive it with the window down so the fumes don't kill me. It would be a treat to work on the stupid thing just once without having bleeding knuckles, crushed fingers or chafing rash hahaha!
Those GM water pumps seem to be low to middle difficulty for those year vehicles. I always wondered why shops won't or don't at least put a coat of paint on the housing before they install them. A coat of black paint will prevent them from looking 10 years old in 6 months. Just my observation, nothing critical. Not sure about other brands but the Gates brand seems to last quite well.
Years ago father in law had a flat nose 73 Ford Sportsmobile camper van conversion. He and his wife put 145,000 miles on it before it bit the dust and burned a couple valves. He was one of those " All don't mess with it, it will be OK" types . I had to wait for those two to leave town for the week in their Chevy to get my hands on that 73 van. After new valves and a valve job, water pump, timing chain ,rebuilt starter, alternator and carb, a new complete exhaust system was installed. Later we (my wife, his daughter), returned it to the same spot where we borrowed it. When they drove it in my drive, both had tears in their eyes. Seems like the old folks appreciated things a little more. lol.
+Robert Davis Oh man that is a cool story!
Instablaster
This is the first video where eric started framing the video with the car in the background and giving a brief summary of the issue the car was having. This is the birth of his style.
I'm getting ready to change the water pump on my 1991 GMC VANDURA.
Thanks for this video and your little short cut tricks!
Man, I had a van like this back in the day. Changing the water pump was such a challenge I decided to sell it after I finished. Where was this video when I needed it back in 1988?!? These are great vids. You're a natural-born teacher. Thanks, Doc.
Jeff Collins i believe this was thie first video i watched on yohr channel way back in 2014. Ive been watching everyone of your vids ever since. Been a sub for a long time and love all your videos.
Opps i ment to put this under the commentz not your comment. My bad
I had an 88 as well. How many sets of ball joints did you go through?
Thank you so much im living out a 1988 chevy g30 rv and you literally saved my ass thank you so much for all the details and easy explaining all through the entire job.
This was one of the first "suggested videos" I saw when I jumped on youtube tonight. Good stuff.
Hi Tack..... the new Gaskacinch...... love the snatch shot of the little lady on the gaskacinch can.....
I’m in the middle of this job on my 94 Chevy right now. Thank you for this. Only took me 90 minutes to remove the fan shroud (rusted screws). I’m in for a long job.
how did you get the fan schroud off? did you disconnect the a/c line? i have a 94 too and the schroud comes in two parts and i could not get it off because of the a/c line. one guy on youtube simply cut the schroud into pieces to get it off.
@@bobrenaldo467 I remember it being difficult and not fun. After it was unscrewed I managed to push it in and bend and tilt it to squeeze under the AC line (towards the left side). I had my son pulling the radiator forward and pushing hoses out of the way and I not so gently squeezed it under the A/C. I just replaced my A/C so I was extra careful not to put too much pressure on it. It was easier to get back in. Hope you got it.
Thank you for this video! I recently bought a 95 g20 Chevy van and need to replace the water pump. Between this video and the chiltons manual I bought, I should be able to do it. Thanks again!
Yeah no problem. Good Luck :)
I also have a 95 G20 conversion Falcon RV. Looks the same. THX for the tips and trix! :-)
Amazing how different your videos are from 2014 to now still great.
Great video. I've been dreading changing out the water pump on my '95 G20 for some time but the puddle grew recently so it had to be done. Only thing I did different was instead of putting the fan back on first then the belt I instead put the pulley on, used one nut to hold it in place, then put the serpentine belt on, then installed the fan. It made it much easier to fish the belt over all the pulley wheels without the fan being in the way. Thanks for taking the time to record this video.
Jim Merlo Cool glad it helped a little :)
The dedicated camera person is a big help and adds to understanding of what you're doing. One thing - zoom in more for detail capture more often.
I just want to thank you for this video. I replaced a water pump in my 1987 Chevy van G20. Your instructions were perfect. I will be looking at you for more information.
you really did an excellent job of explaining each step in the process and made this fairly difficult job look very routine. thanks for sharing these valuable tips and taking the extra time to video this procedure. also i would not have thought to put the teflon paste at the end of the 4 bolts going into the pump until you explained they were also going into the water jacket. reading it in a haynes manual is just not the same as hands on experience.
Hi Eric, just a quick note on installing parts in tight and difficult to get at places. I do a fair amount of car repairs and on the modern vehicles the general lack of room to work in is often a problem and presents its own challenges. To that end, I have prepared various sized and lengths of blank studs, that I screw into the mounting holes prior to installing the part. Once a couple of bolts are installed, the blank studs are easy to remove.
That helps to keep caskets etc in the proper places and additionally is a easy way to "find the right place" to install the part.
Not trying to teach any chickens to lay eggs, just pointing out my way of doing things.
Thanks for the many videos on your channel, as every day is a school day, no matter how experienced we are.
Cheers from Indonesia. Keep wrenching man!
Great input!
I'm glad the van you're working on is actually a GMC Vandura like mine (but a couple years older). I know it's the same thing, but gives me a little reassurance. I have to replace my pump soon, and this was a big help! Thanks for posting it...
Thanks for the video!! Haynes just doesnt compare to watching it get done. Got the old one off and new one on, fully reassembled in about 4 hours total.
I swear, Eric knows all the tricks. The hammer and gasket. They won’t teach that in school
Your one hell of a nice teacher brother .Thanks for showing how to do things the right way .
I got a funny story for you, Years ago I did spark plugs on a Chevy Astro van for my brother-in-law. I got some of the plug from the dog house and some from under the van. I was under it and removed a plug and low and behold it looked brand new, It was because it was one that I just did from the top. I don't know how much blood that I lost that day but it was a lot. Lots of sharp edges on those.
That's a good one 😆
Thats funny.. But somehow sad.. Lol
You had a camera person back then ?
You've come a long way.
This is hilariously fun to watch.
Great video. Explained step by step very well.
Good trick to remove the studs. Love your videos
just came across this and it is very helpful(2023) add one thing I'm going to install a new thermostat veery gooo video . no messing around ...Job done
I have the almost identical van ('94), and that is where they always leak. No more 'rebuilt' water pumps, with tissue-thin rear cover plates...
Love the hi tach spray. I use it all the time. Another trick with it is to spray a bunch on your hand and run for the bathroom. Looks like blood, freaks out the secretary
I had the A/C compressor replaced on my early '90s van. The shop that did the work crossed the windshield washer tank and vacuum ball hoses during the project. It ran great for about 5 seconds until the engine sucked the washer tank dry. No long term problems, just pulled the spark plugs and blew all of the washer fluid out of the cylinders.
+atschirner Haha wow, great story thanks!
I had a 85 conversion van. AC never did work, had the trans rebuilt, alternators 3 (Autozone) and a water pump. Burnt a hole in the brake line changing the battery once. Brazed it shut while it was running. Ran great, sold it to a guy at a carnival.
I dread working in my astro van. parts are cheap and easy to find. its just so darn tight to get to anything. 3 hours to do plugs,wires,cap and rotor.
+keith kennedy 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag!
@@SouthMainAuto When it takes longer to do less we're getting a bit upside down.
Design flaw?
I have the exact van ,I bought the water pump ,so next weekend, thank you
thank you you saved me over 600 bux i love you
Excellent video. I like the videos on old chevy or gmc trucks because I have one. Mine's 30 years old so I don't expect you'll ever see one that old up there in the rust belt. I'm in Florida. It's not even a restoration. Just old, lol.
Thank you for showing how to double nut and extract the studs
Listening to a lil Paramore in the shop lol I love that song that you guys had playing
We are grateful for this video. Believe me. I subscribe. Great job and thanks.
I did every thing from under van
. No need to undo every thing from top,especially on front and rear air thats working. Take fan off and lean against a rag on the radiator.Remove fan belt and then four water pump bolts. Make sure to glue gaskets on because its a tight it going in
Scott alan good to hear you did this the way I plan to do it (from underneath). what part number did u use for the pump? I found several different part numbers that vary in size
@@Machewching I'd say if you have more than 1 vehicle, take the water pump off and bring it in. But there should only be 1 if everything's correct while looking it up
Awesome video sorry informative. Pump off no problem. Totally on point. Did this on a 95 5.7 g20.
I took auto repair back in school and now I do my own work especially now Iam dng my own water pump
ryan wirling Nice
Great job , nice video. I like those vans and the way you do this job. Regards, Anthony , from the netherlands.
Featuring the lovely Mrs O as the videographer.
This vid jumped over the part I needed to watch
Great DIY stud extractor with 2 nut method!
i have an 85 g20 and this video was very helpful
you should do a video of all the tools you have!
Great video bud! Bout to change my vandura pump, and this was very helpful! Keep it up!
I once replaced the water pump on an S10 blazer in the desert on a hot engine as the sun was going down. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't my favorite thing
Just catching up on the oldie ! Who is the camera person ? Your commentary is much smoother these day !
+theoldwizard998 Oh man that is out of the relics lol
Thanks alot lil black girl trying to work on my van u done a great job
I have an 84 GMC Vandura Van and whenever I have to do a job on the engine like replace a water pump or an alternator I remove the upper latch on the hood. After bumping my head about three times on it I decided to just remove it until my project is done. Only two bolts, Good for your head. ................................'Just saying Mike
If you were missing the SMA sign off like I was, here you go.
.....and just remember viewers, if I can do it,..👉 you can do it,..Thanks for watchin' !
The video is like 4yr 5mo old... its possible he didn't have that slogan at the end like he does now
Good to see ya Dr O hope your doing Well Mr Eric O @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC
Some people are hard headed. Customer should of paid u flush cooling system...U do good work bud
Years ago we would hold the gaskets with thin sewing thread and start the bolts and ether pull out or just leave. I never had one leak.
Had to do a water pump on my 93 G20 this past summer. Original pump. Wasn't that bad of a job. Much easier than the 94 B250 Dodge van that I had.
thank you for sharing this video... it is very helpful!!! greetings from germany and thanks again!!!
Great detail presentation with this video also!
Nice. You can thread a bolt with your left or right hand. Most can not use both to thread a bolt. Cool.
A neat trick I learned from working on riding mowers and cars.
Put the ribbed part of the belt on the rubbed pulleys and the top(flat) parts on the flat pulleys. Never had that fail me
Josh Dupont You rub your pulleys?!!! I know you meant ribbed.
My Dad was a mechanic in the 70’s and He would make gaskets using ball peen hammer. He also used a product called “Indian Head” Copper spray on head gaskets and all other gaskets.
glad you got big garage. I have small garage full of tools soo I work outside in the rain.
You are a life saver!
Thanks for Extra tips .right now I am working on G 30
was very helpful.good video.i want to learn how to fix my own vehicle,i like fixing things and know that is was done well.
Ha, did I get a chuckle when you said these vans are your least favourite to work on. I spent many years on the line with GM building those . Know how you feel . LOL
Oh yeah I just LOVE Vans ... (said no one ever) Haha thanks at least you feel the pain too.
The good ol days of Dr. O
You can use that same extraction method with certain spark plug tubes... I think my 1989 Celica tubes can be removed that way. Thanks Eric!
Excellent presentation.
Great work Eric O vans are always a pain Easy Water pump Job @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC
Dont have to worry about the .080 extra body thickness with that 'Tough one' water pump thank god-- I prefer permatex for gasket sealer and it also holds it well too, the old school shellac works well. Pump probably rusted through from the inside due to that nasty anti-freeze or at least a contributing factor- always nice to have a van with no exhaust
jim dandy Haha nope, with this one close enough is good enough lol
Nice video, I'm getting ready to do this on a 95 G20 and though I have changed my share of Chevy pumps, I decided to watch this before I start to be sure there's no surprises. Nicely done, one thing you should mention is how long it took to complete. That would give us amateurs a rough idea how long it will take us by taking your time and doubling it! LOL
Ron R 26 min and 12sec's right? haha no jk , that is a good idea I will keep it in mind. Thanks for watching.
i bought a can of high tack that you brush on and its black in color and man that was just more like no tack or slight tack in 1hr haha, i have since thrown it in the trash
I honestly thought that i was the only one that had a "gasket hammer" in my tool box.... the smallest Mac ball peen hammer..... PERFECT for cutting gaskets...... Thank you for showing these milleniels how WE did it back in the boomer day...... LOL.... (that means lots of lettuce .... right?)
Great Work! Easy as pie. Chocolate Crème Pie. No Leftovers for the slow or timid ....
+Hawaiian F150 Haha thanks
Gracias amigo no es el mismo vehículo pero me ayudaste mucho, gracias maestro👍
ahh the ol Dr O days.... He didnt even make a deez nuts joke.... LOL
Pathetic I know
great video Eric.
great work. made it look simple.
I love working on vans said no mechanic ever!
AGAIN YOU DO GOOD WORK.
Hey Eric, I'm thinking you know about keeping fan clutches vertical so they won't suck air into the seal, and weaken the clutch.......
Great video, very helpful. Thanks
on these chevy water pumps you need to make sure all the bolts on that plate on the back of the new pump are tight. seen these leak before on new pumps
Merry Christmas!!
Went way back to view this one. Early Eric.
Thanks for the video, i'm subscribing!!
Nice work ! Classic..
***** TY
Another great video Eric, you're a great tech. I just wonder why there was no spray sealant applied to the other side of the gasket.
The spray is to "glue" the gasket to the waterpump. The gasket will seal to the block without the spray. Also, the spray between the gasket and the block would make the next water pump replacement a lot more work to get the mating surface clean
Worst water pump job I ever did was on an older Ford van with a 302 outside in 3 degrees f with -20ish windchill and fairly heavy snow falling. ...you cant choose your family...
As usual, great vid.
good job Eric, sam
Ah these early videos. Your mannerisms and 'way of talking' started reminding me like Red Green when he did the Handy Man Corner segment of his show. (except you know what you're talking about...and you're not always surrounded by old K-Cars.....) Have a good day!
My daily driver is a '93 Chevy G20 conversion van with 135K on a 4.3.
I have to replace the water pump on my 97 Ranger. It's all apart. Broke a bolt on the thermo housing.
Paramore! They are one of my favorite bands. Heard em @18:50
Just to let everyone know I replaced the lower intake gaskets on a 98 olds cutlass w/ a 3.1L that was the biggest and longest job I've ever undertaken, the only thing though is I miss placed one of the bolts that hold down the throttle cable bracket...... all in all I'd say it was a complete success replaced the thermostat and water pump at the same time. :D :D
Great job as usual.
Great vid Eric! I have a 86 jeep j20 360, that I plan on changing the water pump out on. hopefully its similar to the Chevy . I do know that the gasket is quite different ( one large beast that surrounds the entire pump) and it has a whole lot of bolts. Would you still recommend installing the gasket dry in this case? or would you use the gasket goop. again good job teaching.
am in the process of doing the same to my 94 G20 Sportsvan. only difference is I took out the grill, radiator a/c condenser, well the whole front end, so that I can put in a new radiator, water pump, and paint some things Chevy orange. A pain? yes, but I love the way is looking. By the way, didn't you forget to attach the 3/4 in. hose back on the water pump?
Erik Baez Boy I hope I didn't other wise I'd have a huge leak :)
That port is blocked off, see 15:22. The same water pump design is used on ~40 years of small-block Chevy engines, with minor variations. This one is probably like my old 4.3 TBI S10 where the heater hoses go to the radiator and a port on the intake manifold; the only hose on the H2O pump itself is the lower radiator hose.
A useful trick I've heard is to buy a couple cheap bolts that are the same size as the water pump bolts but about an inch longer. Cut off the heads and saw a slot into the end so you can use a flat screwdriver. Screw them into the block, slide the water pump over them, install the other two real bolts, then replace these "installation studs" with the proper bolts one at a time. Easy peasy, no gaskets or bolts dropped!
'Vans are my least favourite vehicle to work on'
I hear ya. I own one to get my dirtbikes where they need to go. Sometimes I want to just rip every piece of cowling, cover and panel off the stupid thing, weld a frame for the seat and drive it with the window down so the fumes don't kill me. It would be a treat to work on the stupid thing just once without having bleeding knuckles, crushed fingers or chafing rash hahaha!
Those GM water pumps seem to be low to middle difficulty for those year vehicles. I always wondered why shops won't or don't at least put a coat of paint on the housing before they install them. A coat of black paint will prevent them from looking 10 years old in 6 months. Just my observation, nothing critical. Not sure about other brands but the Gates brand seems to last quite well.