Water Pump Removal
 

Searched for answer with no luck. About to remove water pump which has the replacement bolts instead of original studs. Will pump come out without moving radiator forward. 29 tudor. Thanks

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

I cant imagine that. Removing the stud/bolts will not totally eliminate the need to tilt the radiator forward, as the impeller needs to clear the head.

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

Thanks Russ/40 that's what I thought but a post I read said nothing had to be loosened. I have never done this before so I will move rad forward.

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

if it's a 4 blade fan "No ( unless you can unbolt the blades from the hub) " .If it's a 2 blade fan then there's a good chance that you will not need to remove the rad. But sometimes it is necessary just to tilt it a little ...Put some cardboard on the fins to protect them, be prepared to undo the rods and top hose and just tilt the rad a smidgin .

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

The cardboard also will protect your knuckles. The radiator fins are knife edge sharp.

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

Thanks for replies , it's a original type 2 blade which I am changing to a 2 blade aluminum.

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

Invest in Les Andrews repair manual. It contains such great step by step information.

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

Agree great book. I use mine whenever a repair or maintenance is necessary.

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

I just replaced my original 2 blade fan with a cast aluminum one. It cleared the radiator easily with cardboard in place to protect the fins. Mine has the fake studs so the pump removal was no problem. (1931 Tudor)

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

I would take the hood off and take off the support rods which will allow you to tip the radiator. You don't have to take hood off if you are very careful btw.

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

I recently changed to a HC head and had the hood, the hood rods and the upper radiator hose off. I took the water pump off and back on, both times with the head on the engine. In both cases, I did have to tip the radiator forward and also had to take the rock guard off to get the clearance. PS: I also used cardboard.

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

Over the years and several Model As, I have had water pumps in and out many times. I have not once had to move the radiator forward with a 2 blade fan or one of those plastic 5 blade jobs. The first thing I did was to replace the studs with bolts (decades ago).

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

I have one of these https://www.brattons.com/hood-prop-kit.html and it hold the hood up while I tilt the radiator forward to gain clearance.

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

I just put a leak less pump on mine last week. Got the fake bolts on there and the whole thing came out with no problem. Going back on was another story, Had to take a very minimal amount off of impellers to put it back in .Some times people take a little off anyway to slow the water down to prevent over flow in the rad. Just my take on it and what worked for me. RAY

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

So, does your leak less water pump leak less than the one you that was leaking? That is kinda of a oximoron, isn't it? Even a leakless one sounds like it would still leak.

Sorry, self isolation is getting to me. :p :p

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

You have to disengage the hood prop rods to tilt the radiator forward. You trust that situation to hold the hood while tillting the radiator forward?

I just dont understand how people can claim to not move the radiator and still take the pump out. I have 5/8" max, between the pump shaft and the radiator, the pump has to move forward 2 1/2" to clear the head. I realize you get some angle help, but not 2 1/2".

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

I unscrewed the adjuster nuts to the maximum, so the rods were always supported at both ends. That was enough to get the pump in and out.

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

Gotcha, how close is your pump shaft to the radiator core?

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

It also may depend on the type of radiator you have. My radiator is a heavy duty one and the water pump nut up front if 1/8 inch from the radiator. But never had it overheat!

Re: Water Pump Removal
 

When I did it years ago I loosened the rods, used a short piece of wood to support the hood (from head to hood), simple.
Paul in CT