Coolant elbow replacement on a 1997 GT

**mok4200** · 09-12-2014

In the garage trying to change my coolant elbows to dorman aluminum brand, and I have the alt off and have removed what I believe to be all 3 bolts, water pump assembly still won't come off, is there a wrote up on this year or does it just feel stuck because of the o rings?

**Scottydoggs** · 09-12-2014

you have a cast lower elbow. you break the top plastic crap if its not snapped already. then pull the alt bracket out flush with the engine, while wiggling left and right.

you dont want to crank it to the sides to much or the timing cover will crack, then your in for a bigger job.

edit: the right link, http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...coolant-elbows

**mok4200** · 09-12-2014

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

you have a cast lower elbow. you break the top plastic crap if its not snapped already. then pull the alt bracket out flush with the engine, while wiggling left and right.

you dont want to crank it to the sides to much or the timing cover will crack, then your in for a bigger job.

edit: the right link, http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...coolant-elbows

I don't have a timing belt cover on this side, but when breaking off the old elbow a ring went inside the head, upon trying to get it out, it got lost inside..so we will see how this turns out..

**dsmuts** · 09-13-2014

You don't have a timing belt at all

**Scottydoggs** · 09-13-2014

you have a timing cover that the cast elbow enters, not the head, the plastic elbow is in the lower manifold.

just a o ring fell in carry on, forget it.

**Logan541** · 09-13-2014

is it wiggling at all (I just did mine) if you listen to Scotty and follow Bills write up this is actually a LOT easier than it looks, may I suggets while you have all that stuff off you give the engine a good cleaning and get into all those hard to reach items, then get some kind of protectant on it (I like Griots)