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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 62 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 62 | Hello All,
After some time of tinkering, I have finally got my 216 running. It idles remarkably well given I have done nothing major except rebuild the carb and replace the coil, points and condenser. Doesn't need any throttle at all.
I hooked up the rad and filled it with water. It ran well for a while but all of a sudden sprung a major water leak where the fan pulley and water pump meet. I suspect there is a seal in there that is no good.
I am not certain I will be keeping this engine as it is a dealer replacement block so I don't want to dump a pile of money into it. That said, I really want to keep learning by fixing these kinds of issues and getting it running well. Any suggestions? Would you expect a rebuilt pump is the answer or is there a simpler fix available? Thanks.
James
1951 GMC 9430 long box w/ hoist
1952 GMC 9430 long box w/ hoist (sold)
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 | There's no quick fix. The leak is coming from a shaft seal in the water pump, and that one's not replaceable without some hydraulic press work. Even then, I believe the bearing/seal assembly is scarce and expensive, if it's available at all. Sometimes a seep leak will fix itself with a little run time and a few heat/cool cycles, but a gusher is a different kettle of fish!
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!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 62 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2017 Posts: 62 | Thanks Jerry.
Do you know if the water pump sizes are pretty standard across the 216s? Mine is Canadian.
James
1951 GMC 9430 long box w/ hoist
1952 GMC 9430 long box w/ hoist (sold)
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 | The only difference I'm aware of on the "high water pump" engines like the 216 and the spray-oiler 235's, plus the 1954 and early 55 full-pressure 235's is the width of the fan belt. Some of the 53-up 216's and 235's had a 3/8" wide belt, and the pulley on the high-mount pumps are all press-fitted to the shaft- - - - -no way to swap pulleys. As long as you find a pump that has a belt width to match your balancer and generator, it should bolt on and work OK.
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!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,112 | I have the same motor in my 51 1 Ton. I got my replacement water pump from CarQuest. I had to grind some little divots in the hub to make room for the fan rivets. I rebuilt my motor last year and bored it out .040. I like my 216 and enjoy driving with it.
If you do replace the head gasket, you will have to get one for a 1950 to 52 235. There are no listings for this Canadian model of 216. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 1,003 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2018 Posts: 1,003 | hi,
you may notice your original 216 water pump has one less hole in the back plate compared to the new one.
if your engine doesn't need that hole it will just be a dead end, feel free to fill it with your choice of goop.
I got a NAPA pump, it too had a slightly too big pulley that needed to be accommodated by grinding the edged of my fan rivets
-s
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