Okay what's the deal with the water pump thing. I am putting a '58 235 into my '54 and have been a little confused about the proper water pump to use. I have heard that the '58 engine with it's stock water pump is too long and the fan will hit (or nearly hit) the radiator. I have seen so-called "short-shaft" pump and pulley sets from "Patrick's" and other catalogs that are supposed to cure this problem, but I have also read that these pumps require a special lower hose because the instalation leaves the pump to low on the radiator. I also hear that these conversions then leave the fan mighty close to the harmonic balancer and the fans then need to be "tweaked" to prevent them from hitting it. I have read on the Stovebolt page that an adaptor plate can be fitted to the block and a stock early water pump can then be used as an alternate solution. This supposedly also leaves the pump in the proper orientation on the radiator. This would eliminate the pricey conversion pump setup from the catalogs and make getting a replacement easier (you know how water pumps like to fail unexpectedly). This would also eliminate the need for the special lower radiator hose to accomodate the pricey catalog conversion. I know a bunch of you have probably put later engines in your trucks, so please feel free to chime in on this issue. If Nate is on, I am sure you have worked on these trucks and done engine swaps way before there were restoration catalogs and the only source around was the local FLAPS. I don't want to cut the core support because it is unmolested. What to do? Andy
DON'T cut the core support ! . A Ford big block (think 390) fan will bolt up and have the correct size plus the center hole will fit the large diameter water pump shaft . Back in the day , all water pump rebuilders made short shaft water pumnps as folks have been stuffing roaring 235's in lieu of wheezy old 209's & 216's since 1955..... I am told Pep Boys still has them but what the heck the part # is God alone knows . You can use an arbor press to _carefully_ press the hub back in a bit and then trim off the nose of the shaft so it'll clear , as I mentioned in a recent post that showed a 235 equipped AD , I run about 3/4" clearance in my truck and so far so good although it's a bugger to get the radiator in or out without smooshing the fins on that water pump shaft... If you look at some old 235 takeout engines , you'll soon find a short shaft water pump and buy that , have your local NAPA store rebuild it for you.... Sorry I don't have an easy answer , I've looked at the adapter and think I'll maybe try it the next time I loose a water pump , as I keep only clean & fresh properly mix 60/40 % coolant mixture with _distilled_ water in my truck , I don't often have water pump failures....over 10 years so far on the used pumop that was on it when I bought it , no leaks (yet !) .
Okay Nate, Ford big block fan meaning what exactly? Regular low tech style metal blade fan with no clutch i presume. Use my exisiting pulley, etc? Any idea where to get the "plate" they talk about that modifies the block? How about you, federale? any more detailed desription would be great. Thanks, Andy
You might check out this website,hope it helps. I actually drilled new holes in my radiator brackets and lowered it a bit to center the fan. http://www.merchantamerica.com/chevyhotrod6/index.php?ba=view_category&category=6087
Correct ~ no clutch . I used the single sheave pulley too ~ just go to your local scrap yard and look at old 60's ~ 70's BB Fords , like that rusty old station wagon behemoth over there..... Pickups too . I have no idea who sells the adapter , please post that up when you find out .
Yo Nate, Look at the response just above your last one. Federale supplied the link to the site and page the adapter plate is on. What do you mean "single sheave pulley"? Does that mean I use the exisiting pulley from the '58 engine with the BB ford fan? Or do I have to get a short pulley? I think I probably am going to get the adapter plate so the fan is oriented properly on the radiator and I can use the inexpensive earlier water pump. Andy
Many pulleys have two sheaves , since I'm only running one belt , I prefer not to display an empty sheave.. The Ford pulley is a bit larger diameter and so prevents cavitation in the water jacket as you're whizzing down the open road.. Some like it , some don't but if your 235 heats up on the opoen road , try a larger diameter pulley .
