The El Camino was a small truck produced by Chevrolet from 1959 to 1987. The engine in these vehicles uses a mix of antifreeze and water to maintain a stable operating temperature. Coolant is circulated between the engine and the radiator by the water pump. Over time the seals inside the water pump can begin to leak. This in turn can cause overheating if too much coolant is lost. It is not cost-efficient to try and rebuild a water pump; if yours is leaking, repair it by replacing it with a new or rebuilt unit.
Instructions
Draining the Cooling System
- 1
Park the El Camino on a level surface.
2Disconnect the ground cable from the negative battery terminal by loosening the retaining bolt with a wrench. Then pull the clamp off the terminal.
3Locate the petcock valve on the lower left corner of the radiator, and place a waste oil collection underneath it.
4Open the petcock valve by turning it counterclockwise with pliers. Allow the radiator to drain completely, then close the valve.
Removing the Engine Fan and Shroud
- 5
Unscrew the bolts that connect the radiator fan shroud to the radiator, using a socket. Slide the shroud back toward the engine.
6Unscrew the bolts that connect the radiator fan to the water pump hub, using a wrench.
7Lift the fan upward to remove it from the Chevy.
8Lift the shroud up to remove it from the vehicle.
Removing the Alternator
- 9
Loosen but do not remove the alternator mounting bolts, using a socket.
10Slide the alternator toward the engine.
11Pull the drive belt off the alternator, water pump and crankshaft pulleys, using your hands. Then remove the belt from the vehicle.
12Pull the pulley off the water pump hub, and remove it from the vehicle.
13Label and disconnect the wiring from the back of the alternator, using masking tape and a marker.
14Unscrew the bolts that connect the alternator to the mounting bracket, using a socket.
15Pull the alternator away from the mounting bracket, and remove it from the vehicle.
16Unscrew the bolts that connect the alternator mounting bracket to the water pump, using a socket.
Removing the Water Pump
- 17
Loosen the hose clamp that connects the lower radiator hose to the water pump, using a socket.
18Pull the lower radiator hose off the water pump by hand.
19Loosen the hose clamp that connects the heater hose to the water pump, using a socket.
20Pull the heater hose off the water pump.
21Unscrew the bolts that secure the water pump to the engine block. Pull the water pump away from the engine block, and remove it from the vehicle.
Installing the Water Pump
- 22
Clean the water pump mounting surface on the engine block, using a flat razor blade.
23Coat both sides of the new water pump gaskets with a thin layer of RTV silicone.
24Place the gaskets in position on the engine block.
25Lower the new water pump into position. Screw in the bolts that connect the water pump to the engine block, using a socket.
26Slide the heater hose onto the water pump. Tighten the hose clamp that secures the hose to the water pump, using a socket.
27Slide the lower radiator hose onto the water pump. Tighten the hose clamp that secures the lower radiator hose to the water pump, using a socket.
Reinstalling the Alternator
- 28
Lower the alternator mounting bracket into position. Screw in the bolts that connect the alternator mounting bracket to the water pump.
29Slide the alternator into position. Use your hand to loosely screw in the bolts that connect the alternator to the mounting bracket; do not tighten.
30Reconnect the wiring harness to the back of the alternator, using the labels made during disassembly.
31Slide the water pump pulley onto the water pump hub.
32Loosely lay the drive belt over the crankshaft, water pump and alternator pulleys.
Reinstalling the Fan and Shroud
- 33
Lower the radiator fan shroud into position between the radiator and the engine.
34Drop the radiator fan into position between the radiator and fan shroud.
35Screw in the bolts that connect the radiator fan to the water pump, using a socket.
36Slide the radiator fan forward against the radiator.
37Screw in the bolts that connect the radiator shroud to the radiator.
38Slide the alternator away from the engine until the drive belt is tight.
39Tighten the alternator mounting bolts.
Refill the Cooling System
- 40
Open the radiator cap by pressing down on it and turning it counterclockwise.
41Refill the radiator with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.
42Reconnect the ground cable to the negative battery terminal by sliding the clamp over the terminal. Tighten the retaining bolt with a wrench.
43Start the engine and allow it to run for five to 10 minutes with the radiator cap off. This will bleed air from the cooling system.
44Stop the engine and add more coolant if necessary.