Decided to dig into the water pump replacement. As advertised it's no fun but after pulling the hood it took about 3 hours to have the old one off! The Phillips-head screw at the bottom had me stumped but otherwise it went well. Never saw so many belts!
Dick C.

 

Yeah if you can't see it that is a very wtf moment.

I can't imagine going to the trouble of removing the hood though. I can see where it would be much easier to work on, especially over the front, but finding a place to put it, getting it off, and then re-aligning it are too much hassle for me. I just left it in place.

I could do it pretty fast now, I am a lot more familiar with removing the shroud and whatnot.

Probably the biggest pain, imo, is getting the radiator out, I think I just sat down on the manifolds and pull it up and out.

Good chance to replace the plug in the timing cover while you are in there, as well as flush the radiator a bit.

I hate all the belts! There is only one that you can really go at with a wrench, the rest are slow flat by flat tightening, it takes forever.

Nice going anyway,now you won't have to worry about it for another 20 years.

 

Hood was off in 20 minutes, stood it up against the fence, didn't take the radiator out.
Now to remember where all the belts went!
20 years?? I just turned 76 on Tuesday, doubt if I need worry about this car by then! LOL
DickC

 

Ugh, I'd take the radiator pull over the hood, lots a room in front of the engine to work. I guess being able to get in front is nice though