I am in the process of replacing thewater pump housing to engine gasket and the water pump to housing gasket and the thermowitch mod. I have got all the bolts off and the water pump housing is being blocked by the omp lines at the lower radiator hose . I can't figure out how to get these out of the way to remove the whole pump housing? is there another way of replacing the gasket or how can I remove the omp lines for me to get the pump housing off?

 

You need to remove the two omp lines from the omp. The wires can remain attached but the omp lines cannot. Just two banjo bolts; don't lose the copper crush washers, or replace them if you're doing it by the book.

The FSM covers these steps.

 

I checked the fsm and it doesn't really show where and how to disconnect the omp lines to get them out of the way of the pump housing. where exactly do I disconnect them. I see that two of them can be taken off the terminal of the oil metering pump. there are like three or more that go underneath that. where do those connect? I simply need to get them out of the way of the water pump housing so I can pull it straight out? thanx

 

The electrical lines run underneath. You shouldn't need to mess with those. I believe there is a bent metal plastic-covered "wire retainer" that secures the wires to one of the omp bolts. Straighten that out a bit to free the wires. Even so you still have to "ease" the housing out.

If the wires are still too tight you could try disconnecting the harness up near the power steering reservoir to get some slack (just an idea, shouldn't be necessary)

 

so I can get some slack by straightening out this "wire retainer" to the omp. is that underneath the omp or the bottom side of the omp I mean? thanx zullo.

 

Circled in yellow...

http://home.everestkc.net/ktracy/rx7/oilpumpafter.jpg

 

zullo, thanx. worked just as you said. I did have to remove the elbow and the alt. tension bracket and the water pump housing finally slid off. should I reseal the housing with just a gasket, or should I use some sealant ( right stuff, hondabond) or both? I have heard of people still having leaks from this area after replacing the gasket. also I want to powdercoat the water pump housing and thermostat housing now that I have them off, anybody know where I could have them powdercoated?