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

On my 1940 Super 8, after around 25 years my water pump is leaking. I have one or two rebuilt many years ago spares, so I think all good there? I can remember many years ago getting this done. I have the generator loose and some slack on the belt. Managed to get the four bolts holding the fan blades out. Ouch!!. Need to get to the bolts holding the water pump to the block. Looks like the front of the engine will need to be lifted about 1/4 inch for the bottom bolt to come out? Trying not to pull the hood, front cowl and radiator. Do I have enough clearance? Done many years ago but cannot remember all of the details. There is not enough clearance to pull the fan and pulley out before the water pump comes loose? Thanks

I believe it is commonly necessary to lift the front of the engine slightly to get that last bolt out and to put it back in. This is due to settling of the front engine mount rubber. It is usually not necessary to unbolt any other parts to do this. Use due care to avoid damage to the oil pan and only lift the engine just enough to get the bolt out. I found it easier to install the pump, fan, and pulley as an assembly on my '37 120. Your car may be different. Use copper washers on all bolts that go into the block, and do not use lock washers on them.

It's hard/difficult/nearly impossible to restart those bolts when refitting the water pump to the block. one trick I learned was to use a temporary alignment "tool" in one of the bolt holes while getting the other bolts started, then discard the temporary tool. I used a broken in half wooden golf tee, but anything of sufficiently small diameter should be OK.

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After my first attempt at this I soon learned that a sheet of cardboard or on old plastic corflute was cheap protection from the cheese grater effect the radiator had on my hands.

Thanks for the reply's, after today I like having my fingers and knuckles all scrapped up. Yep I seem to remember having to lift up the front of the engine years ago. As I remember a 2x4 on its side worked good to push up on the oil pan front bolts.
I do remember having to support the center of the impeller and press the front flange a bit further on the shaft for radiator clearance, and to align with generator pulley and balancer. Fortunately I have a press making this a bit easier.
For the back plate on the pump there is a gasket, after adjusting the front flange, what is used in conjunction with the gasket for a good metal to gasket seal these days, if anything?
The last time I attempted this was much younger, no arthritis and my wrists and fingers were far more nimble than now. Then it was a fun learning experience, now it's a pain of hand and body contortions Getting up from the floor I have been laying on, now I need to roll a bit and try to ignore the pain in my wrists, elbows, knees, and a few other places. Toooo old, unfortunately for me.

Who did I meet years ago at Fred and Carol Mauck's house for dinner? I remember two gentlemen from Australia. This would been around 1990 give or take. I had a few Packard 12 radiator caps made by Stant that they purchased from me.