I have a 76 Ford PU with a 390. Yesterday a water leak occured in the 1/2" x 2" hose between the water pump and the intake manifold. The only way I see to replace this hose is to remove the water pump. That's a lot of work for such a small repair. Can anyone tell me of an easier way to repair this leak? I have already removed the old hose. Luv my truck.........Carl

 

If you look at the nipples, they are longer than necessary for a hose clamp to get on to seal, so you might consider cutting enough off of them to create a gap to squeeze a replacement hose on. I would take more material off the water pump side, since the water pump is a much more likely candidate for replacement. Just a thought. Steve

 

I don't see anyway to get a hose on there without removing the pump. It may be possible but a lot of Mickey Mousing would have to be done. The water pump is only held on by 4 bolts and 2 gaskets.

 

I've "heard" of someone pulling off the change using lot's of soapy water and a warm piece of hose. Seems that bending it in a ^ shape and slipping it on was involved but other than that, I don't have any other details or suggestions...

--Mike

 

The hot water & soap way is the way. Used to have to swap these out when FE's roamed the world in larger numbers. Shorten the hose a bit, and cut a little chamfer in it. Make sure you leave enough for the clamp to catch.

Just like putting a timing chain and gear set on, it's a little tricky but it can be done.

You might consider replacing the heater hoses on an early Mustang as a warm up. The front of the FE is much more pleasant than the backside of the dash upside down sideways with the seat track in you ribs.

 

I've done this before, and yes......a lot of mickey mousin was involved. When I did it was because I was out in the woods playin in the snow in the middle of the night. I didn't have the tools to pull the pump off and managed to use the 'ol pocket knife to cut a piece of one of my heater hoses. However, the piece wasn't a long as I would have liked it, but you do what you have to do to get by when you're in a bind.

Your best bet is to pull the pump. Like someone mentioned.....there's not much to pullin the pump.

Mike

 

It can be done and it is easier than you may think. As stated you can cut off some of the nipple on the pump to gain some room. I think I cut off like 1/4 of an inch. Then squirt a little wd40 into the hose on each end. Bend the hose in half and you will be pushing both ends on at the same time. Take a little work but I have done it a few times.

 

i did the same thing when i put my engine togather after getting it turned into a 390. i just cut off a little of the water pump side and greased up a hose and fiddle faddled it til i got it in there, in a perfect world i would have just pulled the pump back off and redid it, but ya know how things go

 

Thought I would let everyone know I made the repair with very little effort following your suggestions. I cut a 1/4" off the nipple on the water pump, cut a 1/4" off the length of the hose, placed the hose on the intake nipple first, then using a large wide blade screwdriver forced the other end on the water pump nipple. Good to go........thanks, Carl