The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop '55 Water pump

I have been trying for days now to get the back plate off of my water pump. There are 2 large standard head machine screws holding it onto the pump body and I cannot get them free to save my life. The slot on the screw head is larger than any screw driver I can find so I have tried to fab something up that will give me better overall coverage on the head but still to no avail. :mad:

It is currently soaking in Sea Foam penetrating lubricant as it has been for 2 days now.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Tom

What are you going to do to it when you get the screws out ?

I intend to clean it, change the gasket between the plate and the pump, blast it, and paint it.

You're gonna need a vise and an hammer-impact screwdriver with the right bit to get that thing loose. This must be on a 1st series 235, right? Those screws often rust shut, and I have see some that are staked in place. That inner gasket does leak, so put it back together with some gasket tack on each side.

chip

270, but everything else you say sounds right on. Where would I get that bit for my impact wrench?

Tom

I am not sure I would blast it. There is no good that could come to the bearing from blasting..

I didn't mean an air-powered wrench, I meant those screwdrivers whose handle is about an inch or two in diameter, about 6" long and made out of steel. You hit the back of the screwdriver with a BFH while trying to unscrew the screws. You may have to go to a tool store or NAPA to get one. A good one should come with the screwdriver bits. The impact helps shock the screws loose. Just check to see if they are staked in place.

Don't sand or media blast the inside of the pump. Just clean it out with a wirebrush and a wire wheel on a drill or bench grinder. Check the bearings for wear. And I don't think the pulley will come off, as it may be pressed onto the shaft. So if the pump is worn, just replace it. Hot motor = Dead motor.

good luck

chip

I know the screws (PERSONALLY) to which you are referring..I recently dealt with a similar situation on a 1991 Doggedmini-van with a 3.0 L V-6.It only had one screw holding the two pump halves together and it did not want to come out.I started drilling with a reversible drill and left handed drill-bits and it came right out
As for the impact driver, try turning the screw tighter first as that was the last way it moved.THEN try to loosen it.You will want to have a good large vise to holt the pump housing in as you use the impact driver. BE CAREFUL not to hurt the pump housing in the vice!