I took my 1966 out for a drive and it started leaking coolant from the waterpump when I backed it into the garage. It looks like there are a couple waterpumps on the autozone site. Any tips or tricks would be appreciated. Hoping the swap will be as easy as it looks.

 

Its not a bad job especially without air conditioning. Take old pump with you as certainly they will give you the wrong one. (shaft length) DO NOT use a lot of torque on the smaller bolts as they strip very easily when tightening. Just snug then up with a nut driver.

 

A/C cars' water pump snouts are longer than non-A/C. Sometimes there's a little difference with heater return hose port too- some have the nipple, some for 70s engines are blanked off.


Good advice on taking old pump with you, and make sure the fan hub flange is on straight. I got one a few years back that was off enough that the car threw the belts within 15 minutes of installation. I raised enough hell with parts store that they knocked off 50% of w/p price for having to redo the job.

 

Keep the old pump. You may want to send it our for a rebuild. The old parts are generally better...older is better.

 

you most likely wont find a larger dia bottom radiator return pump in auto parts store. the 66 pumps used a larger lower hose to the bottom of the oem radiator.

you could go with a sleeve, but i would get an older good pump or rebuild as stated.

if you cant located one , i have many , maybe even the correct 66 pump if your 88 has a 330.

 

Thanks for all the info. I think I will eventually send it out for a rebuild. I was able to remove it no problem this weekend, but the fan didn't want to come off after I removed the four bolts and it was late. I will try to look at it again tonight or take it to an auto parts store to check out and order a replacement.

 

Bring the old pump to the parts store and measure the height. Most catalogs have Olds water pump listings incorrect. Also, be VERY careful with the four 1/4-20 self tapping screws. These just thread into the sheet metal front cover and it is VERY easy to strip the cover threads. Finally, if the front cover is pitted, you can clean it up with a disc grinder.

 

I'll add if the timing set has not been changed, now would be a good time to do it. Let the MAW's begin.

 

It took a couple weeks, but I got her running again. Thanks for the tips!