So it finally happened to me: after reading countless stories of M42 water pumps being stuck, mine finally did the same.
I tried to slowly and evenly use the jack screws on the pump base to separate the pump from the engine, but of course they both broke the pump base. Then I resorted to smashing the pump left and right with a 5lb hand sledge with PB Blaster applied to the pump. I'd alternate with round of prying with a 3ft prybar, which I could feel was flexing under the strain i was applying. Then some heat with a mapp gas torch. Repeat cycle...
What finally worked was a 4ft crowbar, applied from the driver's side. I pried against the flange where the pulley mounts, and the pump finally gave way after I applied considerable pressure. The coolant that came out was pretty disgusting, and the resultant corrosion was doubtless the reason the pump was so stuck.
Anyway, I hope this helps somebody. I really hope I don't have to do this job again soon. I applied some anti-seize paste to the pump to hopefully make the job easier in the future.
Topic: fun with a stuck water pump (Read 2671 times)