Hi everyone, new to the forum, i have a -92 Baja 24 OL with a 502 mk4 closed cooling, it's time to service the raw water pump BUT i cant physically reach the damn pump, even being a scrawny dude i dont fit in the engine bay and be able to wrench, do i need to remove the whole back seat (got the top half slid off) so i can access it from the front?, or can i reach it if i remove the heat exchanger, right now it's about an inch gap between cooler and back seat, i expect it's "easier" to remove pump whole and service it on a bench right?.
I'm quite used to wrench on my own stuff but i have never worked on a big block in board, boy is everything cramped to reach.
Glad for any input/help!

Some are a real bit*h to get at, I have to hang upside down to change mine. Found my easiest way is to disconnect the bracket and entire pump assembly, then disconnect hoses

hire it out, best money you can spend.....

Can you get in the bilge beside the motor and reach it?

Pull the entire assembly. It's much easier that way. When you put it all back together, use a hose lubricant on the fittings to make getting it out of the boat easier next time.

And I agree with farming the job out if it's next to impossible to get to.

Nope, baja has glassed in closed boxes beside engine, the engine beams goes higher then the water pump anyway.

24 OL's suck to work. Those storage box areas in the bilge should just be bolted down though. Easiest/least frustrating way is just unbolt the back seat.

Yep, did a friends a couple years ago, Removed back seat, made it easier, my hands were all bruised and cut up afterwards. told him to call someone else next time.

I'm barely able to climb into the engine room and lay next to the engine to pull my pump off. I made a list of the tools needed so I don't have to climb in and out which really sucks. If you absolutely can't fit in there then I guess you'll have to hang upside down and hope you don't slide in and get stuck! Good luck. I do mine every two years now because they always still look good. If back seat removal gives you access then do that for sure. My boat has a bulkhead/firewall in front of the engine.

Try removing the back seat if you can, that's the only way I can get to the pump in my sunsation. I also have to lift the engine a few inches to remove the fuel filter...