The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk While it's all a part?

I have recently dismantled my 1953 3/4 ton. I am in the process of cleaning and prepping for paint on the engine and frame. I have a few questions.

1. Is it wise to replace the water pump and timing chain at this point. Both are working fine but I would hate to have to do it after I get it all back together.

2. Does anyone have replacement brushes for this year starter and generator? (1953 216)(and bendix spring assembly)

Thanks
Rich

Also I am having difficulty getting the water pump pulley off. Is this just years of being on there or is there a trick to it?

Rich,

Your engine has timing gears, no chain. This wouldn't have to be addressed unless you were going to rebuild the engine. I think a new or rebuilt waterpump would come with a pulley, so no need to remove yours unless you were going to try and rebuild it. I have seen brushes for your engine in Chevs of the 40's and they are probably available many other places too.


Stuart.

No chain? thats good news.
I will likely replace the water pump with a rebuilt. I will alos replace all the external gaskets. I have some evidence of leaking aroune the valve cover, oil pan, timing cover, and the push rod covers.

Thanks for the advice

Rich

Go to NAPA for a water pump. I got a brand new one for my '39 there. They are new and cheap, but take your old one with you cause theres a core charge.

rust bucket53,

Read all the posts on replacing the various gaskets, they are full of very good tips. Re-tapping the timing cover bolts (bottom two) for outside installation is a nice touch. Doing all new gaskets is a wise move...no one likes oil leaks.

Stuart

I remember saying I was just going to replace some gaskets and clean up and paint the engine compartment/engine/and frame of my 54 GMC 2 years ago, but one thing led to another and I ended up rebuilding my engine and began a frame off restoration! I probably would have been done by know, but I got side tracked by another unintentional frame-off resto project on a 71 LeMans I was given. The new/rebuilt water pumps do not come with the pulley, so you will need to remove it from the water pump. Soak the mating surfaces with penetrating oil for a while and tap it with a hammer to loosen if necessary. When you have all the covers off you can check the timing gears for any slop, but if you decide to replace the gears you will need to pull the cam, since the cam gear is press fit. When the oil pan is off it would be a good idea to replace the oil pump to be on the safe side. I found the parts on ebay to rebuild my starter and generator. Good luck with your project.

If the water pump is working fine, I don't see a reason to replace it. They are simple mechanical items. If it spins smoothly without any endplay in the shaft it should be fine. Water pumps are at the top of the list of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." items. Besides, they are easy to replace in the truck.

Thanks for all the advice folks. I started this as a "just get the thing runnin and drive it", but I have turned that into a full off frame resto.
I really don't want to rebuild the engine but I will replace all the gaskets and the oil pump. I may have to replace the water pump. It soaked for two days and I still can;t bang the darn pulley off.
Most everything else has come apart nicely. I pressure washed the engine today and got all the grime off.

Rich

That pulley is not meant to be removed. It is pressed on. The new or reman pump you get will have a pulley on it. If you have been banging on it you better replace it.

Ahhh.. I was thinking this didn't look right. I will replace anyway.

The thing is this trucks maiden voyage will be back to Maine where I bought it and where it will livr out the rest of its/my days going to parades and swap meets.

Not too far...100 miles....Too far to walk if the water pump coughs it up with the cell phone service being so spotty there.

Thanks
Rich