Water pump removal
 

I'm sure I'm missing something easy since what I followed in The Haynes manual seems easy. They say it just slides forward and comes out. The pulley on the water pump is hitting the main pulley , so I can't get it over the studs. I can't imagine that the main pulley needs to come out, which would create a whole nother challenge

Thanks in advance

Yes - the OUTER main pulley needs to come off. The inner pulley does not.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c80e9a7b3e.jpg

Any thoughts about how to do this with out an impact wrench? All my tools are not here. Is there a way to keep the crank from spinning?

Put the belt back over the crank pulley and pull really hard. Use the belt friction to stop the pulley turning .

Got new belts today and will try that, thanks. I've read crazy things like using the starter to snap it loose, but not even gonna try that.

I think the outer main pulley is held on by 4 10MM bolts and should unbolt easily with some belt tension on the power steering/ac pulleys.

Good point. Do NOT take out the eccentric shaft bolt.

Thanks, can't really see inside there, plus it's got dirt and rust. The Manual I have doesn't seem to have a lot of little things in it.

I'll scrape it all out and hopefully they aren't fused on.

A little heat and scraping, I now have it off, TG, you're a life saver! Mazda must have really hated the world when they designed this so that it's only an eighth of an inch from just sliding the pump off.

I would hazard to guess with the new aluminum pump, I'll reduce my belt squeal a little. That cast iron unit is very heavy and such a heavy impeller, is harder to get spinning. At least that's what I'm hoping😛

Got it all back together except the front pulley, powder coating it tonight. Did the water pump pulley and it's a pain keeping the coating off the grooves.
Only problem is getting a belt that fits the air pump, one is too big once it stretches a bit and the next size down doesn't get over the pulley. May heat it up a bit to make it easier to stretch. Can't wait to drive it for a few weeks before I tackle the clutch. Thanks for every ones input on this, I love this site.

i think V-belts r sized in half inch increments. the parts place ur dealing with has one size too long and their next size down is to short, check somewhere else. rockauto.com calls for a acdelco belt # 15350 for fan/air pump, 15320 for fan/alt.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...rive,belt,8900

Thanks, half inch is too short. Not sure what I'm going to do, but the old 7350 is under warranty so I'll try again.

also, watch out for belt width. if it's too wide, it wont ride deep enough in the pulley causing it to seem too short. ran into this problem long time ago. if u still have the old belt, look and see if u can still read the number on it.

All back together, new water pump, intake gasket and o-rings and thermostat. Runs 19 degrees warmer, but that hopefully will drop. Tested the thermostat before and worked, so we will see if I need to do anything different.

Same exact situation..water pump pulley is hitting against the main when I try to remove it....removed the 4 bolts on the main pulley (did not touch the center bolt)...so what's the trick to get the main pulley off (outer section?)

It's probably just stuck. Have you tried tapping on it with a dead blow or wood hammer handle?

No I haven't but if your telling me it just needs some persuasion...I am on it!!! Thanks!! Will let ya know if that works. Mike

a bit of persuasion did the trick!!! Thanks!!! Mike