I am way into the water pump replacement job. Disassembly was not too bad.
I'm replacing the water pump ( bought a Graf locally for twice the price of the same from fpcgroton). Not thrilled with the rough, unfinished sand cast surface of the inlet and outlet openings. I hope the gaskets will seat well. The rest of the unit looks good and solid. I am replacing the timing belt and tensioner, and all the v belts. The local dealer gave me 2 Gates altinater belts. One was made here and the other was made in mexico. They were of 2 very different constructions so I
gave them back and took 2 continentals from another dealer.
The AC compressor, which hasn't worked for years,( I keep the windows open) recently began making a very loud noise, I found that the ac was switched on. The noise stopped when I shut the ac off with the little thermostat knob. The pulley turns freely, sort of, with some friction from the slip bands in the front side of the pulley assembly . Is this ok? and can I remove the compressor all together and replace it with some type of idler to keep the steering pump turning at the right rate? Also, should I put some silicone gasket sealer around the inlet and outlet openings before seating the gaskets?

Thanks Larry