VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Short shaft water pump

I have a 1954 or early chev. 235 engine out of a 1/2 t. truck with solid lifters. I am going to put it in my 1937 Chev 1/2 t. truck. I want to get a short shaft water pump so I don't have to move the radiator but all the ones that I see have the impeller that fits inside the block. My block has 2 quarter size holes that feed water to the water pump and the impeller is inside the pump. Does anyone make a short shaft water pump that I can use on my block? Any help or suggestion would be appreciated.

Thank you
honk1e

I think the part number ME280 from Jim Carter truck parts is what you are looking for.

I thought that a 54 would fit in a 37. I must be wrong.

Anyway, is the 54 engine longer than the 37?

I have a modification type water pump (short shaft) from that place in A/Z that went out of business. Jenkins? I'd have to find it. (mission dang near impossible)

Good luck woth your quest and maybe old216 has identified a good source.

Best,

Charlie

Thanks. I'll check that out.

I'm not sure what year to call my engine. The stamped # are CON1 , D224 which I interpret to mean it came off line assy. line 1 on April 22, 1954, but the casting # 3835911 lists as a 1955 235 engine. Is there any difference between the 1954 and the 1955 engines?

Thank you
honk1e

Jim Carter Part Number REME205 1937 to 1955 short shaft water pump is what I show. Not ME280. They list 1955-62 235 engine for 1937-55......

Here is a link to the catalog page jim Carter Catalog You will see that pump ME280 is the correct one that matches the two holes in the block.If you click on details for REME205 you will see that it has the large impeller that fits into the block.

I think you will find that all the pumps with the two holes have a shaft length that will fit your truck. I believe there is a pulley width difference between the two, two hole pumps.

Re the difference in engines: The earlier engine used a waterpump that interfaced to two holes in the block. The pump sat up high to center on the rad. The later engine had a large pump impeller that protruded out of the back of the pump and into the block.

In case this question is revived, as long as the water pump will mate to your engine (in terms of impeller design/size and bolt holes) you can simply push the pulley flange down to the height needed and saw off the protruding shaft Use a press and push it down a little at a time until the pulleys line up correctly (with a gasket in place, naturally). Often this is a much less costly alternative.
Jon

Thanks everyone for your help. I got the answer to my question.
honk1e

When pushing the pulley further down the shaft remove the backing plate to support the impeller end of the shaft or you may push the shaft far enough that the impeller hits the backing plate too far from the main housing to work properly and / or damage the seal.
Tony