The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop '54 Water Pump

I have a '54 Chevy 3100 with a '61 235. I noticed the other day that the PO had to move the radiator forward to clear the fan. I assume it is because the water pump has a longer shaft than the original. Is it possible to put a '54 water pump on a '61 block? I realize that I will also need the '54 pulley so the belt lines up.

Thanks!

The way I understand it you have to get a special water pump from one of the specialty supplyers or modify yours. I saw the instructions on doing this I think in the tech tip page on this websight.

The modification to the water pump is to press the fan mounting collar further down on the 54 shfat, then cut off the excess. Be sure you check the fan blade fit (if the collar is pressesd too far the fan will hit the lower pulley). Make sure you leave enough of the shaft so the fan is supported or it's difficult to center. A little work will save you about $60 for a "short shaft" water pump.

I realize that for 216's and splash-oiled 235's that that was the case, but what about full-pressure oilers beginning in '54? Is the '54 block the same as a '61 block? In looking up part numbers at autoparts web sites, I can see that the '54 water pump is different from the '53 water pump - and it's also different from the '56 water pump. So, my question still is, will a '54 water pump fit a '61 block?

Thanks

Doug,

A 1954 235 water pump does not fit a 1961 235/261 block.

The bolt patterns are different; and, the '54 water pump is high on the block and the later 235/261 is lower on the block.

Tim

I have seen adapters on ebay that enable you to install the old style pump on the newer block. They were about $40. Not on there now. Check again soon as they are on and off frequently.

Jim Carter lists the adapter plate:

MEE390 WATER PUMP ADAPTOR PLATE 54 AN OLDER 216 PUMP WITH 55-62 ENG $33.25

Tim

when my original motor crashed in my 54 (235), i purchased and installed a 235 from a 62 chevy pickup. i purchased the short shaft water pump but for some stupid reason i can't remember why now i used the inlet from the 1954 and apparently the wrong pulley size because if i hook the heater hoses up the engine will get hot and then cool down - get hot and then cool down. the heater core is clean and free of blockage. when i by pass the heater it cools just fine. after reading all the posts on here about swapping engines and water pumps i now realize that my problem is probably being caused by (1) the size of the pulley, (2) the motor setting lower, (3) the wrong inlet or a combination of one or more. to make a long story short - there is a lot more to the swap than just adding pieces that fit and i encourage you to find out all that you can find out first or you will end up doing it all over again. i did all this before i found this wonderful website. now i just have to find the time and money to go back and redo some stuff!!

While the best solution is the shorten the shaft on your water pump, I have seen lately on EBAY an adaptor plate to mount the 54 and earlier pump on your later block. Have actually run across a guy running such an adaptor, not sure how well it works. Another idea in addition to modifying your pump/shaft is to lose the fan blade for an electric fan.