How do I get this belt wheel out the way so I can remove the water pump.

I need a half inch at the bottom. I can't figure out what needs to be released.

 

Remove the long bolts that hold the aluminum fan spacer on. You might need to give that spacer a couple of gental love taps to get it off. Then the lower front pulley has four bolts holding it on. Do NOT touch the center big bolt. After that front lower pulley is off.

There are four more bolts under the spacer that hold the water pump pulley on.

Pay close attention to the two waffler thin washers on the back side of the after pump. They go where the gasket does not cover. I like to put a very thin later of gasket sealer on both side of my gaskets. Just spread it out with your finger. Not thick. This helps if you need ti take off later and protects the gasket from tearing.

 

Good advice from above!

Phineas, buddy, I moved your thread into the tech section...again.. as you are looking for tech help. The builds section is for restorations and builds, documenting a car's progress. Plus you'll get a faster response here in the tech section for tech related questions.

 

From my experience and my car was pretty clean, there's a lot of dirt/grit inside that lower pulley that can hinder getting four bolts out.

 

One thing I missed and hope you didn't. There is also a gasket on the back side of the water pump housing. Don't just remove the nuts/bolts and leave the water pump housing in place. Replace both gaskets front and rear.