I recently purchased a 1953 3600. It has a 216 engine and this is a replacement.
I have found that it has a new water pump fitted but this squeals when accelerating. The problem is that the pulley fitted to the pump is larger than the width of the V-Belt. I thought at first I had the wrong belt installed but the belt fits the bottom crank pulley and the alternator correctly.
The truck came with some old used spares and i have found an old water pump that has the correct pulley fitted but the old pump is totally seized. Can I swap the pulley, I am not sure how it is assembled is it a press fit. I assume it would be easier to just change the water pump for one with the correct pulley width. When I go on the various part stores they don’t appear to show the different pulley widths so I’m am not sure how to ensure I don’t end up with another new pulley that is wider than the V belt. There must be some variation.
The pulley that appears to have the correct pulley fitted has a GM part number, but when I google the part it loooks like a wide pulley fitted on the pictures. I assume the number must be generic for the pump casting rather tahn the pulley size.
Any help and ideas welcome
(Added later) looks like I need a 3/8 pulley.
From Jim Carter EACH This 1953-55 Chevrolet water pump has the correct 3/8" groove pulley. Correct for the last year of the 216 engine and the early 235 full pressure engine.
Can I just swapp the pulley ?
Many thanks
Best Regards Chris
Last edited by ThreeSixHundred; 08/06/201812:07 PM.
The pulley is a press fit and it is very tight on the shaft. I also found it easier to change the pump as I didn’t have a press at the time. I have switched the pulleys since on my parts pumps. In order to do so, I had to build a puller apparatus. You likely have the earlier style 1/2” pump pulley on your pump. Do you have a press? The means to build a pulley?
Last edited by Fox; 08/06/20181:57 PM.
1970 Chevrolet C10 Grandpa's -- My first truck -- In progress to shiny Follow the build in the Project Journal 1950 Chevrolet 1-Ton Dually "Ole Red Girl" In the Stovebolt Gallery More pictures here 1951 GMC 9430 1 ton dually--Shiny! | 1972 Chevrolet C20- Rusty- the puzzle box lid for the C10 | 1962 AMC Rambler American- my wife's Parts trucks- 1951 GMC 9300 | 1951-GMC 9430 | 1951- Chevrolet 1300
The 53 216 and the 54/early 55 235 engine had a high-mounted water pump with a 3/8" belt width. That's the pump you need to look for. Yes, the pulley is a press fit, and yes, it's TIGHT! Unless you've got a very well-equipped shop with specially-made pullers and a press, you'll be better off finding the correct pump. It's possible to machine the wide-pulley pump hub to accept a bolt-on pulley (I've done it) but then you need a lathe. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
I think I will order the pump. I do have a lathe, but I don’t have a press. I could buy a press quite cheaply but running out of room in my garage, what with having an enormous Chevrolet parked in there LOL. I don’t think I would use the press frequently enough to justify it. I could also take it to my local machine shop they may have a press. I guess I have a couple of old pumps here to practice on. Are rebuild kits available.
It’s not a bad idea to have ago at bolting on the old pulley and I would probably go that way if I could not buy one of the shelf. Do you use the four tapped holes securing the fan to mount the new 3/8 pulley. I guess this will move the new pulley forward buy the depth of the old pulley ?
Thanks Regards chris
Last edited by ThreeSixHundred; 08/06/20189:46 PM.
Yes, the four existing fan attaching holes are used to attach the bolt-on pulley. I face off the front of the pulley hub the thickness of the add-on pulley so there's no change in the position of the belt. I usually use a 2-groove pulley for a Ford 302 V8 and bore its center hole and slot the mounting holes to fit the hub of the 216 pump. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Yes, the four existing fan attaching holes are used to attach the bolt-on pulley. I face off the front of the pulley hub the thickness of the add-on pulley so there's no change in the position of the belt. I usually use a 2-groove pulley for a Ford 302 V8 and bore its center hole and slot the mounting holes to fit the hub of the 216 pump. Jerry
Great information. I may try this when i remove the old water pump.
