Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Do I have to remove the radiator to change the water pump?

No, but you will need 3 things to do this.
1. thin cardboard to protect the radiator from the thin skin on your knuckles.
2. floor jack to raise the engine slightly to access the two lower bolts, where the front engine mounts have sagged slightly.
3. small left handed monkey with small tools to get the fan blade off.

You will also need cold beer and aspirin afterwards to deal with your sore back from leaning over the fender.

Oh, and as this is your first post, expect a certain Aussie to welcome you....

Also it is usually recommended to clean out the water distribution tube, if you don't know the last time it was done, while you have the water pump off. But that does require removal of the radiator.

Be careful when you pull the water pump off and put it back on, the water pump is unique to that year and they are getting pretty hard find new cores if you crack the housing somehow.

The advice on water distribution tubes is excellent- over the course of my car's life, someone had replaced the brass tube with a version made of galvanized steel, and it had disintegrated. After I got it all cleaned out, the car ran much cooler!

Good luck, and welcome to Packard Info.

Quote:G'day GaryA,
That's my cue, to PackardInfo! Now was that a certain Aussie or a certifiable Aussie? Joking aside, all good advice as I know about the knuckles, back and trained monkey from doing the same on the '38 I used to own. Another word of "advice", include your '37 120C in the Packard Owner's Registry here on PackardInfo!

for including your '37 One Twenty Sedan in the Packard Owner's Registry.

For what it's worth, I have replaced the water pump in my '37 120C many times. It appears to be the Achilles Heel of my car. Each time I was able to remove the water pump and fan as a unit without damaging the radiator. I have also reinstalled the pump and fan as one unit too. It is much easier to remove/install the fan blade on the bench than trying to wrestle it into place once the water pump is on the car. Again, for what it's worth.

GaryA,

Good advice from the above postings, but I have a couple of question: Why are you removing the water pump? Is it because it is leaking? If so, you may be able to stop the leak by tightening the pack nut. I tighten the packing nut on my 115C's water pump from time to time. If this does not work you might try inserting some more packing. You will need to back off the pack nut all the way, then work the new packing into the opening. Usually, these pumps do not require rebuilding, just repacking. To tighten and loosen the pack nut I use a screwdriver through the hole in the housing to engage the nut and pivot the screwdriver. Also, a drop of motor oil into the two oil cups periodically keeps the bushings in good shape. I hope this will work for you.

(o[]o)