It looks like the water pump in my 1974 240D needs to be replaced. Can the compressor and mounting plate for the York AC compressor be moved out of the way sufficiently to remove the water pump mounting bolts or does the compressor have to be removed?

 

If I remember correctly, I was able to replace the water pump on my 240 without the removal of the ac compressor or mounting plate. I do remember that it was a royal pain getting everything to line up again during installation, but I was working alone. If you have someone to help it could speed up the job.

 

I don't know. It appears to me that the right hand side bolts are inaccessable behind the AC compressor mounting plate. Maybe if the fan and pulley were off the water pump, things would look dofferently.