Have 'BIGBRRD' up on ramps to do an oil change and replace belts and radiator hoses (changing the coolant as well).  Couldn't get the petcock valve on the radiator open and didn't want to force it so I pulled the lower hose to drain the coolant (no problem).  The amount of 'junk' that came out of there was quite noticable so decided to check on the cost of reconditioning the old radiator versus replacing it with a new one. 

Reconditioning looked to be more expensive so ordered a new one from a local shop.  Well, the one that arrived was larger (4 row vs 3 row) so the rubber mounts wouldn't work.  When returning the new radiator took the old one along for the ride.  Once the fellow at the shop saw the old radiator he strongly recommended reconditioning it instead of replacing it so decided to go that route (for originality sake amoung other things).

That was a long way to go to get to my question.  This is a '78 T/A with about 67k on the clock.  We haven't seen any coolant leaks under the engine, just under the left front corner (presumed to be from a bad hose or radiator problem).  As long as most of the stuff is off the front of the car already (fan, shroud, belts, pulley, radiator) would you change out the water pump? 

Jim, I would if you have all the stuff off already, what is the cost for a new WP? $120? Also check the condenser for your AC..Sounds like your getting ready for a trip? I'm I right.. spielman538854.5022453704

'BIGBRRD' is the bride's '78 Trans Am and the only trip is is going to be making in the near future is to the body shop for some fix-up.

I check a few parts catalogs and a couple of local parts outlets and can get a new water pump for under $30.

The A/C won't be touched until the beast comes back from the body shop and that belt is easy to undo to free the compressor if that needs to be replaced.

As far as my trippin' goes, still waiting for some things to fall into place before knowing whether or not I'll be able to make it to PF.

Thanks for the input...!!!

I'd change the water pump..it'll probably be next & with everything out now ..one less thing to worry about

Alan

Depends on what ya want to do with the TA. If it's a garage car that is driven little I'd say no. From what I remember of the Ta's cousin the Camaro it's a pretty simple extract even with the radiator in.
If its not gonne be depended on to drive much changing the pump may be just practice for something that has miles in it to go. At 67K I would thing that there to be life to move fluid for several miles to come yet.
Besides once you start just where is a good stopping point???

I'd have to go with replacing, while you're in there. Now would be the time. If the pump "vane" assy. is rusty, it can come apart, or slowly disintegrate, and create an overheating problem. Change it now, and flush the poo out of the block.
If this car has a Pont. engine, it's a wee bit more involved than a Chebby. Lots more gasket scrapin!!

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple] ... If this car has a Pont. engine, it's a wee bit more involved than a Chebby. Lots more gasket scrapin!![/QUOTE]

Forgot to mention that - yep, it's the Pontiac 400 w/PS and A/C.  The bracket that holds the PS pump and altenator on the front of the block looks a little nasty so having the radiator out will definitely give me some more elbow room to work.

The old radiator came back today looking brand-spankin' new.  They did a nice job on it.  Also ordered a new water pump and will pick that up on the way home after work on Thursday.  It'll mean a couple of more hours under the hood but I'll feel better knowing that a new one is there rather than waiting for the old one to fail.  Even tho' there hasn't been a ton of miles put on it so far, sittin' around is probably as hard or harder on internal parts (especially where water is part of the equation).  And I don't see this car going cross-country anytime soon either ("The Toy" has a couple of times and will see much more of the country over the next few years!).  "BIGBRRD" was added to the fleet to be a local cruiser and fun car so it'll be doin' more sittin' than movin'.

I was going to tackle the heater core as well but I don't like to mess with A/C plumbing and all of that needs to be unhooked to swap it out (according to the repair manuals I have anyway).  The car is pretty much gutted at the moment (in preparation for going to the body shop) so will have the heater core replaced and the A/C overhauled before putting the interior back together.

Thanks for the input everyone...!!!