For those that have changed out their water pumps.......I'm changing water pump on 97 SE 5 spd, I've read Mishmosh's excellant post here and others On the topic. Very nice write ups I might add. The problem is that I"ve gotten the old pump out and have examined the interior surface of the block where the new pump will sit. There seems to be a black residue from the old pump that does not want to come off. It's fairly smooth, but very slightly textured to the touch. It appears that there is some corrosion that took place in this O-Ring seating area and the old O Ring has left some permanently bonded residual behind in that corrosion pits. I've tried scraping it with thick thumbnail, soaking it in gasket remover(wiped on), carb cleaner, PB Blaster with no avail. I've even tried very lightly sanding it with 180 grit (that worked a little, but I don't want to put in any deep scratches). SO, Does this seating lip for the coolant "O" Ring have to be in perfectly NEW condition? or can I just assume the new O Ring will "fill" the less than a millimeter inconsistencies?? Obviously it helps tremendously if you've done this job!
Sorry for the wordiness and Thanks for your help

 

Wow, that blue text is barely readable contrasted to the dark background.

The o-ring should seal just fine, you could probably RTV it (extremely small amount) if you were really paranoid about it.

Best would be pics of said corrosion.

 

Hey bud, Heres some pics of the residual/corrosion pits on the seating ring for the water pump's inner O ring. thanks! V

 

maybe try the edge of a screwdriver or pick, or VERY carefully take a razor blade to it(note VERY carefully) i dont think any amount of chemicals will remove that

 

the o-ring should seal that

 

It's a tight space, so I wouldn't use anything that could possibly scratch the surface- just oil the seals and put the pump in, cause IHO it doesn't look bad. Anyways, from the pic it doesn't look like the oring will b seating over that build up.

 

Well, if you measure from the front bolt face to that point, its exactly where the rear coolant O ring will be, in fact the blackness IS the old O ring adhered to the bore. I think your right though, I think it will make up after it warms up and seats in,....I hope! I aint going back in after losing the tensioner piston again! Close call, I got it out!

 

Gotta hand it to you, that's probably the best pic I've ever seen (the first one) of the water pump area while the motor's in the car, lets you see how everything goes down there.