'61 Water Pump Help!
07-22-2009, 11:00 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
'61 Water Pump Help!
I took my water pump bolts out to find that it is part of the motor mount and the engine dropped!! Mea culpa for not checking the manual! 
How do I safely raise the engine back up without damaging anything. I did not remove the top motor mount bracket. Does that need to be removed for reinstallment of the new water pump? Could anything have been damaged by the engine dropping that short distance? 
Thanks
How do I safely raise the engine back up without damaging anything. I did not remove the top motor mount bracket. Does that need to be removed for reinstallment of the new water pump? Could anything have been damaged by the engine dropping that short distance? Thanks
07-22-2009, 11:10 PM
#2
Tech Contributor
Yes, the 4 bolts that hold the water pump to the car, also hold the motor mount in place. You will have to remove the motor mount bracket from the block in order to replace the gaskets that go between the block and the mount. These are just regular water pump gaskets.
As to how to raise the motor, many just use a floor jack. I didn't want to scratch the paint or risk damaging the oil pan, so I bolted a piece of angle iron the the harmonic balancer and then supported angle iron with a floor jack.
As to how to raise the motor, many just use a floor jack. I didn't want to scratch the paint or risk damaging the oil pan, so I bolted a piece of angle iron the the harmonic balancer and then supported angle iron with a floor jack.
07-23-2009, 02:00 AM
#3
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I can't seem to get the pump bolts on the block to line up through the motor mount pump holes. I got the left side started but can't get the right alighned. I have a jack under the car just behind the L/F tire and a 2x4 in between the jack and the second step of the oil pan. Is there a better way to get a center of gravity with the jack to get the motor to line up with the pump mounts on both sides?
07-23-2009, 02:18 AM
#4
Race Director
Jack the motor up another inch, remove the big motor mount bolts and rubber motor mount cushions and it will fit fine.
Doug
Doug
07-23-2009, 03:31 AM
#5
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Doug, I should line up the motor mount pump holes with the ones in the block first, then put the motor mount cushions and bolts in after? Thanks
07-23-2009, 02:28 PM
#7
Team Owner
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I use a highly-sophisticated and costly saddle made from a 2x6 base and 1x6 sides to jack up the engine; the top of the 1x6 side pieces raises the engine on the pan rails instead of denting the bottom of the oil pan.
It's also a lot easier to install the water pump and mount bracket if you use two 3/8"-16 threaded studs, one in the top hole on each side, to "hang" the sandwich of gasket/bracket/gasket/water pump on; then install the bottom two bolts and replace the studs with the upper two bolts. Once that's done you can set it down on the mounts on the end of the bracket and button it up.
It's also a lot easier to install the water pump and mount bracket if you use two 3/8"-16 threaded studs, one in the top hole on each side, to "hang" the sandwich of gasket/bracket/gasket/water pump on; then install the bottom two bolts and replace the studs with the upper two bolts. Once that's done you can set it down on the mounts on the end of the bracket and button it up.
