Model b waterpump
 

I currently have 32 model b engine in my 30 A, The housing on the B water pump is cracked, I have a Model A head,and after doing some research, I believe I can buy an A pump and change out the B pump by installing the A head, BUT, I have been told by some, there are more water ports on the B head. Can someone with more experience than me, shed some light on my issue

Re: Model b waterpump
 

Just for clarification, the situation is:

• You have a B engine with a B head and a B pump
• The B pump is cracked
• You have a spare A head lying around
• You want to buy an A pump and then put the A head on the B engine?

Why not just buy a B pump?

Re: Model b waterpump
 

#1 Hard to find #2 cost, obviously you have more money than me

Re: Model b waterpump
 

The B block has additional steam holes, seen here

Attachment 458181

Re: Model b waterpump
 

Michael,

Have you checked with the suppliers to see if any of them have an adapter? Perhaps someone on the HAMB may know where to get one.

David Serrano

Re: Model b waterpump
 

Re: Model b waterpump
 

Synchro,

Secrets of Speed https://www.secretsofspeed.com/water-connections has one also for $58.

David Serrano

Re: Model b waterpump
 

These are not the right adapters, these adapt the V8 pump to the model A head. SoS does sell an $85 adapter farther down the page that adapts the V8 pump to the B head. The V8 pumps are readily available. Only problem is you have to customize the pump to mount the B fan on the end of it.

Re: Model b waterpump
 

My '31 has a late model ('39 casting) B engine with an A head and an A water pump. It works flawlessly and has over 2000 miles on it.

I have compared the A head gasket and B gasket and either will work fine IMO. Some say the copper type works best but opinions vary - and should be based on the head (A or B) design.

Tom

Re: Model b waterpump
 

By the time you buy a gasket to replace the head it may end up costing more. I would find an original B pump and have it rebuilt (try placing a "wanted" ad). Look for an original pump as I believe I remember people complaining about the castings on the reproductions. I am running a Model A police head (the one with the block "B" on top) on a Model B engine and never had any problems. If you decide to use the Model B pump be sure you don't buy a 1933-34 by mistake. The '33-'34 pump is shorter, see photo. If you run a Model A head on a Model B engine I believe you need to block the steam holes shown in Post #4.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Model b waterpump
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1615595179
That is interesting in that there are two different lengths with these Model B Water Pumps.
The long one is 1932 while the shorter one is 1933-1934. Thanks for this helpful tip.

Re: Model b waterpump
 

That shouldn't be the case; if you use the Model A head gasket with the model a head (which you should), those holes don't exist either in the gasket or the head. The gasket should seal off the holes - but to be sure, one could seal them first fairly easily.



Also notice that the B gasket width between cylinders (at valve side) is wider than the A gasket, so that would likely lead to premature failure if used with the A head. Both these gaskets are quality; the B is Felpro, the A is a Best product.




Here's a pic of the gaskets side-by-side:


Attachment 458219

Re: Model b waterpump
 

I think you will find that the holes are close enough to the edge of the gasket that they will leak especially if the head was not located properly when it was machined. Also the wider contour of the Model A combustion changer doesn't adequately clamp the gasket over the steam holes. And finally you have unsupported gasket hanging into the combustion chamber.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Model b waterpump
 

The '33-'34 pump was shorter because the radiator sloped back.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Model b waterpump
 

Easy to spot at a swap meet due to the space between the grease fittings.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Model b waterpump
 

Trevor. The long one is 32 and the short one is 33/34

Re: Model b waterpump
 

Thanks for the correction. I have now corrected the details in my original Post 11.

Re: Model b waterpump
 

Go ahead and run the Model A head on the B engine. You can use either the A head gasket or the B head gasket. The A head stock has a 4.2:1 Compression Ratio and the B has a 4.6:1 Compression Ratio. The difference is too small to matter.

Re: Model b waterpump
 

Vince has some good information on why you need to plug the steam
holes when mixing A and B heads and blocks.
http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ABcy...asketguide.htm

Re: Model b waterpump
 

Where is it cracked? maybe it could be repaired?