How to Remove a 5.0 Water Pump on a 1988 Mustang

The 1988 Ford Mustang was available with the eight-cylinder 5.0 liter engine as optional equipment. The 5.0 relies on a belt-driven water pump to circulate the water throughout the engine and the radiator. Within the tip of the water pump is a single bearing. If the bearing fails, the pump will leak and either the radiator fluid must be periodically replenished or the engine will overheat until the pump is replaced. Fortunately, removing a defective water pump is a fairly straightforward process.

Instructions

1

Drain the antifreeze from the radiator by turning the radiator's plug counterclockwise with a wrench. The plug is located on the engine side of the base of the radiator.

2

Disconnect the radiator and heater hoses from the water pump. Each hose is secured with a clamp. Loosen the clamp's screw with a screwdriver and pull the hoses off the pump.

3

Loosen the bolts that secure each of the engine's belt-driven accessories to the front of the engine with a wrench to release the tension on the belts, then lift the belts off the pulley attached to the front of the water pump.

4

Remove the fan shroud's retaining screws with a screwdriver and position the shroud over the engine side of the fan blades.

5

Remove the four bolts that secure the fan's clutch assembly to the front of the fan blades with a wrench, then pull the assembly, the fan blades and the water pump's pulley off the water pump.

6

Remove the water pump's retaining bolts with a wrench.

7

Pull the water pump off the engine.