Replacing the Water Pump

[NaturalSelection]

I am in need of some assistance. I am in the middle of replacing the timing belt and the water pump. I have successfully removed the upper and lower timing belt covers and the timing belt itself. It seems at this point I need to start unbolting the water pump except there is one bolt underneath where the intake comes in that is just impossible to get to.http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...elt+water+pump says that I can move the ac out of the way so I am trying that.I have removed the four mounting bolts for the ac but can not get the compressor bolts off. They are actually 6 mm allan bolts and I've soaked the suckers with PB blaster. Am I even on the right track here? If anyone has any advice thank you in advance!

EDIT: Sorry folks, 1989 L Carb manual.

[harpon]

I think you may have to remove an engine mount and jack the engine up, but not sure, never done it. Have you checked a repair manual?

[harpon]

Never mind that reply- I think that had to be done on a 1.9 escort motor, but I don't know about these

[TominMO]

NatSel, can you just leave the A/C on its mount and suspend the whole thing out of the way?

[jbibb1]

I just did water pump, timing belt and front main seal last week and I removed the passenger side motor mount and put a floor jack under the engine so I could raise and lower the engine which made it easier to get the crank pulley bolts and water pump bolts

[TominMO]

I just did water pump, timing belt and front main seal last week and I removed the passenger side motor mount and put a floor jack under the engine so I could raise and lower the engine which made it easier to get the crank pulley bolts and water pump bolts

Yes, very helpful. On my '87 323 there is a cutout in the body so this isn't necessary! You already have direct access to the lower pulley bolt without fooling with the mount. Very cool.

[harpon]

You'd think that after all this time, and knowing how the cars are, they'd make a few things like the timing belt/water pump thing easier and more accessible. Same for the heater core I think. But it's my own opinion that the makers are always more interested in marketing and selling new product constantly- and not much with keeping anything on the road after ten years or so. Too bad. Labor saving and conserving with older automobiles is always running against the wind.

And then they quit offering the smaller cars in 2000-to sell gasoline I think. They changed the Escort into a Focus and people thought it replaced Festiva and Aspire for awhile. The geo left us then as well.

[Chobobulous]

I replaced the water pump in an aspire that had the ac still installed by removing the bolt that holds the passenger side engine mount to the frame then lifting the engine up and inserting the bolt back in the hole so that the mount rests on top of the bolt. It canted the engine just enough to get it done.

[DaleInTN]

jbibb1

How far did you have to lower the engine? I had to take the transaxle bolts out and the mount is resting on the sway bar. This still doesn't give me enough room to get the crank pulley out. All bolts are loose, just not enough room to get it out. What am I missing?

I'm in the process of doing the timing belt, water pump, and front main seal on my '92 festy.

[TominMO]

The only mount you should have to remove bolts on is the pass. side one.

[DaleInTN]

The engine is still to high, I have to drop it more

[NaturalSelection]

So I was able to swap the water pump and did not have to drop the engine or remove the ac or anything. I just got the right wrench in the right place and made it happen. But....I was able to get everything back together as I was running out of daylight. Start the car and the belt is not aligned! I forgot to rotate that sucker before finishing the job! O well! Live and learn! Thanks guys for all your suggestions!

[dalebwilson]

" Start the car and the belt is not aligned! "

If you are referring to the timing belt....be very thankful you are working on a non-interference engine.