Ok, so I'm new to this. Bare with me... this is a fairly easy and straight forward question. There is a hole in the top of the water pump. There is one in the original one as well with a plug in it. My water pump didn't come with a new plug, but obviously the hole is there for a reason. I assume I plug it with the old plug... but what is it there for? Common sense tells me its there to fill the water pump with coolant before starting the engine... What is it really for? Also, the gasket seemed to have expanded after I put it on (yes, I used blue RTV, but the absolute smallest bead I could muster... its more just like a skimming of it around the very outside edge... also made sure it wouldn't squish into the pump by putting it on the pump and pressing it on there firmly) ... the gasket seems to still be there just fine on the bottom, but the top it has expanded out... is this ok or should I try to keep it all tucked in there?
Eric, That pump fits back to at least 1964 and possibly to 1961. From 1961-64, 215 and 300 motors used a water heated choke that had a hose that ran from the water pump to the back of the intake. Just use the plug from you old pump or get a plug at the hardware store. Seal it with some gasket sealer and you should be fine. Mark
Thanks, Mark... Do you think the gasket thing is ok? I know there isn't a whole lot of pressure on the cooling system so I would guess its ok... but I could be wrong.
Eric, It should be ok as long as you have all the holes lined up and the gasket was not torn. I personally don't like the blue goo. Rather use the brown gasket shellac or permatex Hi-tack. The blue stuff makes the gasket slippery and can squeeze out. NEVER EVER use it on a tranny (my opinion) pan gasket or in a motor oil passage (timing cover gasket or pickup screen gasket). Have seen it squeeze in and reduce the oil passage size and then break off and go into the passage. Do you have all your water pump bolts in or are some broken off? The pic looks like some are missing. If you are missing some bolts, it could have become mispositon. BTW where are you located in Hudson Falls, near Lake George? I am about 1 1/2 hours south of Lake George in Kingston. Have noticed a couple of board members in Saugerties and Poughkeepsie lately. Used to be no one nearby for ages. :Brow: Mark
Yep... Hudson Falls is about 15 minutes south of Lake George I did break off some of the bolts, but they have been since removed, I just figured I wouldn't put in all the bolts until I was absolutely sure everything was ok. I used the blue sealant because it was recommended by a few people and I figured I might as well use it at least around the bolt holes where the gasket is thinner. All the holes are lined up, but I'll stick in all the bolts and realign it before I tighten everything up... Thanks for your help!
More suggestions. Since you have the bolts out already. Get some anti-seize compound (the silver stuff) and put some on the small water pump bolts and the bolt for the alternator brace. This will prevent the bolts from getting stuck again. You don't have to tighten them down too much, so don't go nuts or over tighten them. Gotta watch that aluminum. I also like to use some sealant on the long timing cover bolts as they go into the block water jackets. I use the brown stuff or hi-tack on them too. A torque wrench would help get those bolts tightened accurately. You don't want to have a coolant leak and have to take all that apart again. Good Luck, Mark
I will get some anti-sieze... which I should've gotten while I was at the hardware store this morning. I am using stainless small bolts and for the bolts that go through the alternator bracket and was just going to cover them in PB before I put them in to prevent rusting. I know they don't require too much torqing but I don't have a torque wrench or even access to one. The only tools I've got are just enough to get the pump off and put it back on (simple ratchets/wrenches).
Be careful torquing those bolts. I've broken a few off overtightening them; had to take the pump back off, remove the broken part, and start again. I need to get a torque wrench.
just use the 1/4" drive socket on those... you shouldent be able to over tighten them. but you still can..... the short length of the 1/4" drive wrench will limit the total force you can put on the bolt. also tru-value sells a beam style torque wrench for about 20 bucks.. both 3/8" and 1/2" drive sizes. be careful with that thread you oversized though. you'll not want to snug that one quite as much. Nate
All back together, no leaks, no problems, no more broken bolts... but the car was flooded when I tried to start it o No: I think my friends played tricks on me and pumped the throttle while I wasn't looking one of the other days.... Thanks for all your help, though!! :grin: :grin: :grin:
