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water pump

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Donny_L

Jedi Trainee
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I'm going to attempt to replace my water pump and hoses today. Haven't read the procedure in the manual yet but plan on doing so before I start. (probably 3or4 times)
How hard is it to do ?
What kind of trouble should I expect ?
Any tricks that might make it go smoother or common mistakes to avoid ?
Also, the new hose is not going to just slip on to the new water pump with ease, what's the trick to getting it stretched on to the pump?
 
OHBOY !! I just read through it the first time. Do I really have to take out the radiator ?!? I just changed gears in my approach to this project from "timmid" to doun right " scared "
 
IIRC, you have to remove the radiator to get the fan off. There should be studs fastening the pump; if someone has replaced these with bolts you could, theoretically, get the pump off without removing the radiator.

Removing the radiator is not difficult--there is, I think, four bolts; one each top and bottom on both sides. Shouldn't take more than 20 minutes or so. The biggest hassle, IMO, is draining the coolant--there is (should be) a petcock on the left side of the block for draining the block. Usually, this is stuck (might be easiest to just unscrew the petcock). If you don't drain the block you'll probably dump some coolant out of the pump cavity (messy, but no big deal). Good time to put fresh coolant in anyway.
 
Thanks Bob, I'm thinking about painting the radiator while I got it out anyways. Thinking flat black for the vented parts and high gloss on top. What do you think ? any suggestions ?
 
Paint only the bottom and top, not the fins. I just did the pump without removing the radiator on my BJ8. I not sure what you drive. There was just enough room. The replacement was more difficult because the replacement was from County (made in India)and the flange was thicker and the bolts were counter sunk. Be sure to turn the pulley for 15 to 20 seconds while dry with a hand drill and a wire brush or cloth buffing wheel. Check the procedure on the Moss web sight. I think it is on the section about water pumps. The water hose should go on with just a little water as a lubricant. This is one of the easiest things to do on a Healey.
 
Donny,

What model do you have? The later cars had radiators painted a gloss black and then the fan guard was brush painted red.

Don't be afraid of this project, but take the opportunity to do the most work you can on all the components you will be removing and even some that are near by.

If the radiator has not been flushed out recently, this is a good time to flush the entire cooling system and then have the radiator boiled out in a hot tank and checked for leaks. If the core is getting punky, now is a good time to have it recored.

Is the thermostat the right one for your area? This is a good time to replace that, and of course, a new gasket. Check the thermostat housing studs and make sure they are in good shape and can be reused. I put a little anti seize on the threads before I reinstall the nuts becuase I really don't want those little studs to break off in the future.

Is your fan belt up to snuff? since it is coming off with the pump, now would be a good time for a new one.

Does your car run cool enough in the summer time? If you were thinking of trying the Texas Cooler fan, why not buy it now so you don't have to remove the radiator again in the future.

Is the front of your engine compartment clean? With all these parts removed, now is the time to spray on some engine cleaner and really get into the nooks and crannies that are impossible to reach when everything is together.

I have to admit that I turn relatively simple projects into big deals, but my goal is to try and go into these areas once and get everything done at one time. I'd rather spend three days doing a one day job that going back in three or four times.
 
I believe the original shade was neither a high-gloss nor a flat black, but something in between. Of course, it's your car so you can paint it however you like (I believe, though, that 'flatter' colors dissipate heat a little better, but the difference is probably insignificant).
 
Thanks guys, my car is a 61 BT7. I recently flushed the whole system,put in a summer thermostat, new elbow,gasket and studs. Unfortunatly I flushed it out really well and left it dry for a week or so while I waited for the new thermostat and elbow with gasket n studs. Mr. learn by doing killed his oun water pump in the proccess. It didn't dawn on me that the seal would go bad so thats why I'm replacing the pump now.
 
I forgot to ask about the pump gasket. When I put the new one in,should I put gasket sealer on it ? Both sides of it ?
 
Uh oh, a religious topic. With machined, flat, smooth surfaces gasket goop isn't necessary (unless you don't have the proper paper gasket). But, most of us can't help overdoing things, so a very thin smear of something won't hurt. I like Permatex Aviation Form-A-Gasket for this application.
 
The purpose of the using a drill and buffer pad is to spin the new pump while it is dry to bed in the seal so it will not leak. (I don't think all the pumps need this, mine didn't). Anti-seize is a gooey substance that you apply to threads to keep them from rusting and seizing (thus anti-seize!)
 
I'm still looking for someone to rebuild my old pump. Donny L, you may want to have the old one rebuilt 'cause it is a part that will go out again. Especially since the only ones available these days are from India. Always nice to carry a spare.
 
TH, that's my plan. It'll probably sit on the shelf forever till I get around to it ($) but I'll deffinatly hold on to it. :smile:
 
So far I've gotten the radiator out, and loostened the dyno to slacken the fanbelt. That's where I got sloppy! When I pushed the dyno doun I didn't undue the coil wire and the wire pulled out from the back of the connecter that goes into the coil. CRAP ! How hard is that going to be to fix ? ROOKIE move.
 
Onward and upward...I took about 20mins to get the first three nuts off and about three hrs to get the fourth one. The water pump is finally off...YEEEAAAYYYY ME !!!!
 
<span style="color: #FF0000">How hard is that going to be to fix </span>

Not difficult at all if you have a new connector, if you are going to try and use the old one, it will depend on how dextrous you are and what small tools you have.

Best of luck

Bob
 
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