Gotta change the water pump on my NA

In what's becoming a Stampie tradition my Miata started leaking coolant right before the Challenge. Last year it was the devil hose, today we finally got time to look at it and it looks like the water pump as I see it pouring off behind the crank pulley. Of course that means the timing belt and all that cool stuff. Should I order the timing belt tool from flying Miata or just wing it?

I found the tool to be quite useful for that job.  It certainly isn't impossible without it, but it makes it an almost pleasant experience.

In reply to Stampie :

Get the tool and bonus free flyin Miata calendar for free

I have a set I'd be willing to loan out if you don't want to buy them. They make it easier for sure. 

I didn't even know there was a tool for the job, and did it without.  If you're careful getting everything lined up, it's not a tough job.

I think the Gates water pump is preferred because it has a cast impeller, and the others have stamped impellers.

I didn't have any problems doing timing belts on my Miatas without the tool but can see where it would be nice. I did something like this:

(Not my picture)

In reply to enginenerd :

That’s how I’ve done it twice. 

I mean, I don't want to spoil any surprises or anything. But I'll bet you'll enjoy Bundle Friday at Flyin' Miata. That's our name for "Black Friday".

Buy the real tool if you need it. The 3D printed one on thingiverse is a mockery of automotive achievement. 

enginenerd said:

I didn't have any problems doing timing belts on my Miatas without the tool but can see where it would be nice. I did something like this:

(Not my picture)

I could use something similar to that to hold the cams in my Saab 93 2.0T motor. Since the head would be going out for service and the cams coming out I would just get wrenches from Lowes and weld them together.  Then scribe the cams and it becomes foolproof to get the cams back in proper position. The cost of two wrenches would be way less than the cost of the special tools that they sell for the SAAB. 

Keith Tanner said:

I mean, I don't want to spoil any surprises or anything. But I'll bet you'll enjoy Bundle Friday at Flyin' Miata. That's our name for "Black Friday".

Is Bundle Friday today cause I was thinking I'd like a windshield banner also?

Windshield banners are ALWAYS available! But Bundle Friday comes just once a year...

So do Suspension Saturday, Power Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! and Cooldown Monday.

In reply to Keith Tanner :

Thanks Keith!  If we ever met I owe you a hug for my free timing belt tool. Plus the free windshield banner and calendar to boot. 

remember to clean the snot out of your crank nose and use loctite!   had a longnose fail that way (PO service) and seen a few others. 

Thanks Kieth they came in today. First thing Lil Stampie says is "Is that Flyin Miata tape?  I want some Flyin Miata tape!". I told him I didn't think y'all had it in your catalog. 

Let me tell you, our packing department is very possessive of their Flyin' Miata tape. It is not to be used frivolously. Apparently.