VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 water pump removal

Went to a car show Fathers day and water pump went out of my 32 special sedan,had it flat bed hauled home. I am trying to remove the water pump but cant even get the fan blades of the shaft because radiator is so close. Does the radiator have to be loosened or removed to get the fan and water pump out?Is there some trick I need to know or have to remove radiator? Help! Ron

The blade and pump can be removed without moving the radiator. Place a thin cardboard in front of the radiator to prevent damage to the fins and your knuckles. It's a tight fit but not impossible. Use a box wrench to first remove the bolts holding the fan blade then remove the blade and then the pump. I suggest replacing with the Filling Station sealed pump and also check the baffle in the block while the pump is off.

Also, check your 1932 Chevrolet repair manual for removing and installing the water pump.

I don't have a repair manual yet. I ordered the pump from the Filling Station,I didn't order baffle,I hope mine is OK. It is so close to getting fan blade off maybe 1/2 an inch. I thought I hope I don't have to remove radiator,head lights and hood, there must be a way. Thanks for the tips I will try the cardboard. Thanks so much, the cardboard worked, fan and waterpump is off. I felt the baffle seems solid no holes. Now is there a trick to getting the fan blade and water pump back on? It is a tight fit!

take the EASY WAY and remove the radiator and get easy access to everything you want at.. Especially when putting the fan back on and lining up the mounting holes with the fan.

mike lynch

Wont removing the radiator require removing the hood and head light bars and radiator shell?

You would have to remove the hood and everything connected to the radiator. I would follow m006840's advice it is a little tight but is the best way by far.
I have done it several times and if you already have it out it should go back in.

Yes.

When you ordered your water pump from the Filling Station you should have also ordered a repair manual at that time as well since a repair manual is a must when working on your car.

No tricks involved-just take your time and reverse the procedure for removal. You can use a mirror to visually check the baffle and also check the block surface to be sure all the old gasket is removed.

Will say YES it is a TIGHT fit, removed and installed my blade once with the radiator in. like said PROTECT the radiator and your hands, cardboard works great. lot of little quarter turns to get those screws out of the water pump pulley to remove the fan. I used a ratchet box end wrench. my blade was stuck to the shaft. once the screws were removed, tapped it a few times with a rubber mallet (GENTLY) to break it loose and remove it. removing the water pump was fun as well since the gaskets glued the two together. make sure you remove all the gasket and that the surface is clean and flat. check baffle, picture of the baffle in my 1929
just as much fun going back on.

when i pulled the engine, i replaced the water pump with the new one from The Filling Station. Pictures of Bearing Water Pump

It is way easier to loosen the rod, remove the hood, disconnect hoses, pull radiator, or at least lean it forward. removed you have 100% freedom to the front of the engine !!

Pulling the radiator on a 32 is more involved than on a 29 I believe. Loosening the rod may help a little but I don't think it's worth the trouble.

All very good advice gentlemen. I wish I would have thought about the repair manual when I ordered the pump.I am hoping it goes in without too much trouble. Boy it would have been nice if the manufactuer would have left another inch of space between the fan and radiator! If it gets too difficult I will loosen the radiator. Thanks so much for your help,now if one of you would just come and install the pump and fan blade for me that would be great! You guys are the best,Thanks

Use thin cardboard such as a flattened out cereal box.

The GM ISSUED SERVICE MANUAL is the automotive bible, to the car hobbyist.

Update on the water pump, its in and working great . Havent road tested it yet ,been pouring rain here. Thanks for all the help fellas,sometimes just a little advice and moral support makes the job easier! Ron The extension rack trim came the same day as the pump and its on too.

Thanks for the update and glad to hear it went well. Now if you could just send some of that rain this way it would be great. I think we have had less than 1/4" since the first of May.

I wish I could send some your way we have had plenty in eastern Ohio so far

lets NOT talk rain, we have had plenty, which is nice keeps us out of a drought, keeps things green, and looking nice. i can handle modertae rain spread out, not all at once :/

that storm rolled through early this am dumping a LOT of rain, blowing everything around. I spent the better part of my morning sweeping and pushing water out of the garage under my 1929 !! you know you are in trouble when there is a dirt ring around the outside of your garage !!

got fans cranking to dry out the floor, and dehumidifier running to pull the moisture out. humidity usually stays around 45-50% with the dehumidifier running, was at 60% this morning with all the water in there !!

My son in Columbus OH had 4 " of water in his basement.

When I replaced my water pump, I loosened the nut on the yoke, in the top center of the radiator about 1/4 of an inch to get a little more space. That lets the radiator lean forward a little to give you a little more space for removing the fan.