changing the water pump

We have a 2000 Ford Windstar and have been trying to replace the water pump for several days. Still are clueless as to how to get the old one off. Do we need to drop the engine in order to replace water pump? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

While I haven't done this job on my 2000 LX, it is *not* noted for being an easy job. Take a look at these threads (and search on "water pump" in the Windstar forum for more):

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=446686

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=392848

Similarly, the AutoZone repair guide calls raising the engine several inches to gain clearance:

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1d/30/42/0900823d801d3042.jsp

(above link is actually for '95-'98; later guides not yet available on AutoZone's web site; 3.8 info further down the page).

Helped a friend do his 99 3.8L...when you jack up the front of the engine be careful of the brake master cylinder reservoir...the throttle cable bracket started bending it toward the driver side...it didn't cause a leak but was scary.

How much did you have to raise it?
Did you use a wooden block under the oil pan to lift it?
I assume the exhaust is flexible enough to ignore while doing the water pump.

How much did you have to raise it?
Did you use a wooden block under the oil pan to lift it?
I assume the exhaust is flexible enough to ignore while doing the water pump.

1. 4-5 inches w/o shorting any wp bolts.
2. Wooden block under the oil pan worked fine.
3. Exhaust wasn't stressed.