Water pump is failing on my 1949 Chev Truck. The engine is from a 1954 Bel Air power glide. Ordered a Carter water pump from Rock Auto and thought everything was good. Started looking at the distance of the pulley from the engine and the width of the pulley that the belt rides in and it's different. Won't work. The bully width is wider than the water pump that came off the truck and the pulley distance from the engine is about 1/4 inch more, so the belt won't line up with the lower pulley and alternator. Looking at other water pumps from parts stores, I can't tell if they will work or not. How can I know that I'm getting the right water pump when ordering? These are supposed to be for a 1954 235 engine.
Car water pumps in 54 used a 3/8 inch wide belt. Trucks used 5/8" belts, I believe. Is the pulley pressed onto the pump shaft, or does it bolt onto a round flange?
"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!
Car water pumps in 54 used a 3/8 inch wide belt. Trucks used 5/8" belts, I believe. Is the pulley pressed onto the pump shaft, or does it bolt onto a round flange?
The water pump sold by most vendors is available with a wide pulley using a 5/8” belt (older engines) or a narrow 3/8” pulley (for 1953 and 1954 engines). Some vendors ask you to specify which one you need. I would not try to swap the pulleys, get the correct one.
The water pump sold by most vendors is available with a wide pulley using a 5/8” belt (older engines) or a narrow 3/8” pulley (for 1953 and 1954 engines). Some vendors ask you to specify which one you need. I would not try to swap the pulleys, get the correct one.
Thanks. Looks like American Classic Trucks has the 3/8 belt pulley. I'll try ordering from them. I'm surprised the Carter water pump from Rock Auto didn't have the 3/8 belt pulley since it is specifically for a 1954 Chevy Belair 235 engine.
Anyone know what the items are called that the heater hoses connect to on the head and the water pump? I think mine has the 3/8 threaded pipe into the water pump and 5/8 connector for heater hose. I need to replace mine. They're all corroded and I don't want to reuse them.
They're pipe nipples. Take the old ones to the hardware store or plumbing supply to compare. Or make your own.
Last edited by Otto Skorzeny; 02/27/20242:46 AM.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy) 1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
Darrell Day, In the 1929-53 Chevy Master Parts Catalog they are listed under Parts Group# 8.866 - Connections, Hot Water Heater.
More specifically listed under that Parts Group as: Nipple, heater coupling (3/8) GM# 3106066
Chev's of the 40's carries a reproduction piece under Heater Hose Nipple with the same ID number as the original GM part number.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
The connectors should be available at most local parts suppliers. NAPA sells a 5/8 inch heater hose connector number NOE 6601737 for under $10.00
Unfortunately not in my area. I've been to Oreilly's, NAPA, Auto Zone and the local plumbing and electric store that has about everything and none of them had them. I found some online.
No1300, They probably would have. I didn't ask them. I thought I would be able to find some locally somewhere, so I didn't ask them to order. On another note, I'm having trouble finding the correct water pump for this engine. I have the 235 out of a 1954 Bel Air with power glide. I ordered a replacement from Rock Auto and it came with a 5/8 belt pulley drive. Mine has a 3/8 belt pulley drive. The 5/8 is offset from the 3/8, so the belt would not line up with crank pulley and alternator pulley. Sent that one back and ordered one for the engine from Oreilly's and it was advertised as 3/8 belt pulley, but it was just like the one from Rock Auto. A stop at Advance Auto Parts also produced nothing. Stopped at Auto Zone and it looks like they might have one that will work. Won't know until it shows up tomorrow.
Anyone know where I can source a water pump online for this engine that will work?
You'd be better off rebuilding the pump that was on the engine already.
Send it off to The Flying Dutchman or Then & Now Automotive to rebuild it for you if you don't want to do it yourself.
New parts are Chinese garbage anyway even if you do find one that fits.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy) 1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
What Otto said... send your old waterpump off to be rebuilt. Better than new and you know it will fit. NAPA sent mine off and I had it back in a few days. The "new" ones are offshore junk.
~~ Jethro 1954 3100 Back to Life In the Dity Gallery 1951 3100 (gone) / 1956 4400 (still in the neighborhood) / 1957 6400 with dump body (retired) / 1959 3100 panel (in the woods junked) / 1978 Custom Deluxe K10 / 1993 S-10 4.3 / 2004 Chevy Crew Cab / 1945 John Deere H / 1952 John Deere B / 1966 John Deere 2510 / 1967 John Deere 1020
Darrell, check Oriellys again.....with a good countet man. Ive purchased two from them......and you can check before you pay. Mine came overnite and this hasnt been long ago..... and price was good and no shipping.
I recently purchased a water pump from ebay with 3/8 inch pulleys. The manufacturer was GMB, part number was 130-9710. I have also purchased from Jim Carter Truck Parts. Both vendors specified pulley size.
Maybe ask napa. I've had good luck getting those type of parts from them . Might be worth a quick phone call to see. Maybe they can confirm specs on pulley for you.
