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One-Armed Water Pump Woes
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PapaJoe



Joined: 09 Nov 2020
Posts: 73
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 2:52 pm    Post subject: One-Armed Water Pump Woes Reply with quote

Last August, I injured my left shoulder which compelled my wife to forbid restoration work until the injury was resolved. A few weeks before, I had noticed the water pump on the '32 Chevy was leaking and needed replacing. Of course, the new pump arrived a few days after the injury. So, I waited for a day when my wife would be visiting her sister to secretly perform the swap.

The old pump came off easily with the gasket sticking to the pump-side facilitating the clean-up process. The new pump, a thing of beauty, slipped right into its port just behind the radiator. It was at this juncture I realized my damaged left arm could not support the weight of the new pump, especially in such a confined space. So I added a layer of Permatex to both sides of the gasket to glue the pump in place, then tried to get one of the three bolts to catch using my good arm. Not one thread would engage.

So, I stepped back to reassess the situation, and the pump fell out of the port lodging itself between the block and radiator. The sticky Permatex-smeared gasket landed under the car in a pile of speedy-dry granules. Simultaneously, my wife and her sister pulled in the driveway to retrieve her forgotten sunglasses. She did not offer any assistance or words of encouragement.

After dislodging the pump and cleaning the gasket, I built a stack of shop towels between the block and radiator to support the pump. I slipped it in place and tightened the bolts. The rest of the job went smoothly.

Last week, my surgeon performed shoulder-restoration surgery using original parts. I hope it turns out as well as the water pump project.
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Keith D



Joined: 16 Oct 2008
Posts: 1127
Location: Upper Swan, Western Australia

PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 3:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Joe,

Have you noticed that these health bans only apply to car restoration or repairs, never for work needed in the house or garden?

Keith
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1926 Chrysler 60 tourer
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1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution
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Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 3:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Glad to hear that the Chevy is fighting-fit once more.

And your shoulder of course!!

RJ
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PapaJoe



Joined: 09 Nov 2020
Posts: 73
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 4:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Keith, Now that you mention it, that does seem to be a trend. Although, in this case, I will give the bride credit for having better judgement .
Regards,
Joe
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Owned: 1917 Ford Model T Touring
1929 Ford Model A Roadster
1967 Harley (Aermacchi) Sprint SS
Coveted: Ford Model Y Saloon
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V8 Nutter



Joined: 27 Aug 2012
Posts: 587

PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looking on the bright side you could have had a water pump fail on a '32 Ford.
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PapaJoe



Joined: 09 Nov 2020
Posts: 73
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

True. The dreaded '32 Ford pump "hidden bolt" would certainly have complicated the repair.
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Owned: 1917 Ford Model T Touring
1929 Ford Model A Roadster
1967 Harley (Aermacchi) Sprint SS
Coveted: Ford Model Y Saloon
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V8 Nutter



Joined: 27 Aug 2012
Posts: 587

PostPosted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 2:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PapaJoe wrote:
True. The dreaded '32 Ford pump "hidden bolt" would certainly have complicated the repair.


Many years ago I was caught out by the "hidden bolt" that was on a British built Ford V8 Pilot. Once I had discovered the bolt the next problem was finding a socket to fit the corroded bolt head
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PapaJoe



Joined: 09 Nov 2020
Posts: 73
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 4:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I doubt the Ford Engineer who put that bolt there was thinking we might be attempting to remove it decades later. I haven't rebuilt a flathead (yet), but it seems like all my car friends have. Getting accustomed to the ribbing I receive for running a Stovebolt 6.
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1929 Ford Model A Roadster
1967 Harley (Aermacchi) Sprint SS
Coveted: Ford Model Y Saloon
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V8 Nutter



Joined: 27 Aug 2012
Posts: 587

PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 9:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have re-built both and the Chevy was the easiest.
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