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Hi folks. Any help would be much appreciated. Serpentine is off, cant turn pump pulley from above. Was making screaming sound when I switched off.

I guess its baked. Leaking from weep hole.

I see there is a steel bracket from front of pump going back someplace to the block. I guess there are screws back there to take it off first?

Any other tips for this surgery? It sure is hard with the coaming in front of the engine (front fixed section of the engine cover seat, containing a light). And I guess I cannot easily remove all that stuff..?

Thanks to anyone who has helpful suggestions.
Glenn in Miami

Well .... The water pump on a small-block chevy is bolted to the block via two bolts at each side (the legs that run out a couple inches to each side from the center of the pump body, to the front of the block). These four bolt are all that secures the pump to the engine. Other than this, you just have the hoses.

As for access, I am not familiar with the 2003 Horizon, but on our 97 245 Sunbdowner you could remove the whole fiberglass engine surround housing (a dozen screws, or so). With the housing removed, it looked like this:

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Much appreciated Gordon thanks. Nice boat!

Glenn,

I am not certain which pump you are referring to ? From the description of a metal bracket, it sounds like it might be the raw water pump, not the engine recirculation pump Gordon is referring to. If it is the engine recirculation pump, if you will ever boat in salt water you definately need a replacement marine pump (and ignore the following!).

If it is the raw water pump, that bracket needs to be removed; it's held on by 2 bolts or 2 studs/ nuts which, depending on access, can be a PITA to get at ! Don't lose the rubber piece on the end that locates betwween the pump inlet and housing. ( I glued mine on!). That bracket stops the pump housing from rotating. If you need to dismantle the pump (apart from removing the cover and replacing the impeller; 4 small screws), it needs to be off the engine. The pump and pulley assembly is held on to the end of the crank by 3 allen head bolts. VP do not supply the bearing and seal, only a complete new pump, but I have heard they are replaceable with parts from bearing specialists.

Graham

Good point !

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Thanks Graham thats very helpful.
Yes its the raw.
Well, I guess i will sort out my ratchet extensions......! Have you by chance removed the seat and surrounding "walls"? I see the screws but i was thinking they must have nuts on the other side where you cant get at them....?.....well I will just try but if they drop off inside the hollow cavities I am screwed.

As Gordon indicated and as can be seen from his photo, on the earlier boats removing the seats and engine compartment side and front panels gives good access. On my 1999 boat, they were just "starboard" plastic panels held on by right angle brackets and with screws into the fibreglass and "starboard". A previous owner might have replaced some of the screws with nuts and bolts if the holes in the fibreglass or "Starboard" got too big or the threads stripped out ( I did that with some of them!). If so, I'm sure they'll just be a standard American thread and easily replaced if lost.

On later boats, like your 2003 one undoubtedly is, there are no removeable panels and access can be very tight; I have to get in to the engine compartment of my 245 Sundowner to get access the the raw water pump. I also have cut a hole in the panel and put in a hatch so I can access the front of the engine ( the horizontal FWC heat exchanger effectively blocks access from above).

Graham

And I thought mine was tight!!! No i think I can do the job, but the cutting out and installing hatch had occurred to me too. Well we shall see, and I shall report my experiences. Thanks to all.