replace water pump?

[killshot_kustom]

I have my Ea82 out and on my engine stand cleaning her up to put the rebuilt heads back on. I know it is common practice to replace water pump and belts. The mileage on this engine is unknown. It is COVERED in oil though. The inside of the water pump looks like it is brand new, and the belts look brand new also. Should I just replace them anyway since I already have the engine tore apart? Don't want to spend too much money on it, but also don't want to have to do the pump and belts down the road because I was too cheap to do it now.

 

Thanks,

Dan

[idosubaru]

if you want reliability and not getting stranded then replace them. only you can decide what reliability is worth to you, we can't tell you that.

 

if the belt got any oil or coolant on it, definitely replace it.

 

ebay timing kits are $60 or so, get those. the pulleys are probably more likely an issue than the belt at this age. they're all old, spin freely and make some noise. none are ever smooth and anywhere near new condition.

 

you can keep an extra set of pulleys and timing belt in the car somewhere and the few tools necessary to do the job. if one breaks, you fix it and go.

 

water pump is harder to do that with and the older stuff isn't as robust as the newer designs, i'd replace it unless you're really confident it's fairly new. even if it's old that's not good for the seals.

 

if you're concerned with $, put it all back together and make sure the motor runs good before putting any extra money into it. the timing belts and water pump are easy enough to do in the car.

 

the water pump is the most annoying to do, scraping all the old gasket off.

[Truckerman666]

Replace anything that is even slightly questionable. Remember, it is easier and cheaper to do it now, than later by the side of the road, in the dark, and in the middle of a blizzard. Keep the old stuff in the care for spares. I still remember being young and broke like a lot of you guys, having some spares and tools in the back saved my rear many times. You can even use them later if you become to broke to fix the car for work.

[killshot_kustom]

thanks guys, I'v decided to replace it all