C - 1 Water pump and Engine Mount Removal

[Jimmy J.]

I need to remove the water pump off my 1959. What is the best way to support the engine while the engine mount and pump are removed? Thanks, Jimmy

[Terry D.]

Re: C - 1 Water pump and Engine Mount Removal

Jimmy
Best way is to make a cradle that supports the engine on either side of the oil pan. I believe if you look in the archives under John Hickley's name you will find a diagram to make such a cradle. If you can't find it e-mail and I will send you a picture of one.
Terry

[Jack H.]

The 'rate breaker' mechanic's trick is...

(1) Go to the junk yard and buy four cylinder head bolts.

(2) With a cut-off wheel, remove the hex heads from the bolts.

(3) Then, cut slots so a standard slot-head screw driver can drive the bolts.

(4) Pull the existing water pump bolts and replace them with the 'special tool' screws you've fabricated.

(5) Carefully pry the water pump loose from front gasket holding it to the motor mount cross support leaving the gasket between the motor mount support and engine block intact.

(6) Slide the water pump forward, along the special screws, and off the engine.

(7) Reverse the proceedure to install the replacement water pump.

[Christopher R.]

Additional Step

Add to #4: Replace the existing water pump bolts with the "special tool" screws ONE AT A TIME.

Don't yank out all 4 of the existing bolts. Or, the engine could drop off the mount.

[Michael H.]

Re: C - 1 Water pump and Engine Mount Removal

Jimmy,

I think Terry has the best method of removing/reinstalling the pump on your 59. This method will also allow you to replace the gaskets between the engine mount bracket and the engine block. If you try to R/R the pump without replacing these gaskets, a leak is almost sure to occur. The mount bracket usually moves, tearing the gaskets between the bracket and the block.

Jack Humphreys method may work but using the cyl head bolts that he mentioned for guide studs would not be possible. Cyl head bolts are 7/16" dia and water pump bolts are 3/8" dia.

[Rob Edwards]

Re: C - 1 Water pump and Engine Mount Removal

Here's a shot of the engine support I made based on John's instructions (which are somewhere in the archives. The uprights sit nicely on the oil pan mounting rails. I can measure the dimensions if anyone wants them.

[Jimmy J.]

Re: C - 1 Water pump and Engine Mount Removal

Is this to be used without jacking the car up? Thanks for the picture. Jimmy

[Rob Edwards]

Re: C - 1 Water pump and Engine Mount Removal

I suppose you could use it without jacking up the car, though I'm 6'4" and so it's easier for me (and my back) to put the front end on ramps and then support the engine from below.

[Christopher R.]

Re: C - 1 Water pump and Engine Mount Removal

You don't need to jack the car up to use this. But how else would you get under the car so that you could put this in place? You'd have to be real skinny.

I use this saddle with a scissors jack underneath to support and adjust it. There should be a scissors jack in your trunk. Sears also sell them for around $20.

[Rob Edwards]

Measurements of engine support

For posterity:

The crosspiece of the support is a piece of 2x6 which is 9-1/4" long. The uprights are 9 inch long pieces of oak 1x6 (just happened to be what I had, my guess is that standard pine 1x6 would be ok too) screwed onto the top of the crosspiece with 3" woodscrews, about 5 per side. So the inner distance between the uprights is 7-13/16".

Hope this helps!

[Mark B.]

Re: C - 1 Water pump and Engine Mount Removal

When I had to replace my water pump and front motor mount, I found that using an engine lift with a carburetor/manifold lift plate to be the easiest method to support the engine off of the mounts. I used Grade 8 bolts slotted with the heads cut off to align the mount and gaskets with the engine block before sliding the gaskets and pump on. When the water pump bolts are tightended to spec, the engine can be lowered back on to the rubber cushions and hold-down bolts re-installed. I used "red" Permatex silicone/sealant on the fronts and backs of the mount to engine gaskets and the pump to mount gaskets. No leaks after two years of spirited driving.

[Jimmy J.]

Thanks

Thanks Rob and Terry for the pictures and the measurements. Thanks to all of you that posted responses for your input and ideas. Jimmy