My '48 F-1 apparently has a '52 flathead engine (that's what the previous owner said anyway...I can't find any serial numbers on it). According to my VIN the original motor in this truck was a six. Anyway, the right side water pump (the one with the heater hose) is starting to leak ever so slightly. I see Carpenter sells re-builts for about $65.00; is this something a weekend novice such as myself should attempt? It doesn't look too complicated, but I don't want to get started only to find out I need a special tool or the old bolts are rusted/fused to the block and then have to have the beast towed somewhere. Does the water pump just come out as a unit; essentially just a swap with the new one? Is the thermostat housing part of the re-built water pump unit, or is that a separate item I will need to buy? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Never mind that thermostat part of the question. I just went out to look at the engine again and I see where the thermostat housings are (on the top of the engine where the two top radiator hoses are). Oh well, I already said I was a novice !!!!!!

 

Nothing too complicated. Just make sure you clean up all the old gasket material so you don't have to do it twice. I like to use a little of the copper RTV on the reinstall. The biggest difference with the flathead pump is that it also acts as one of the motor mounts so you'll need to lift and support the engine to change the pump out. Good luck.

 

Just remember the hidden bolt inside of the pump inlet.

 

IMPORTANT, STOP, AND OTHER THINGS TO GET YOUR ATTENTION!!!!

There is a bolt that is hidden in the water hose hole. When you remove the big hose it is at the rear of the pump in the center of the hole.

Also, check your local NAPA, Auto Zone and other parts store, surprisingly they have or can get the Flathead water pump, just tell them you want a right/left (Pick the side you need) waterpump pump for a 1949 Ford, F-1 Pickup with the 8RT V8. (I know you have a 48, and the engine may be a 52) This info as I gave it will get you the pump you need.

This link may help, it shows the different waterpumps.
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...rpumptypes.jpg

 

One of the most common reasons for the pumps weeping on the 8BA/8RT engines is the use of a 7 psi radiator cap. WRONG! You need to run a 4 psi cap, nothing higher. Make sure yours is correct.

 

Looking closely at the engine in my truck, I see on the heads the following numbers cast: On the right "EAB6049B" and on the left "EAB6050B"
( http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...0to125late.htm ). So, then this is not an 8RT engine but an EAB. Wouldn't that make a difference in the water pump I would order, or are the all the same?

 

Do as Dick suggested. The HEADS are EAB, but the block is 8BA/8RT. What makes it an 8RT is the waterpumps, the oil pan, the oil canister and lines, crank and fan pulley are wide, exhaust manifolds, bell housing, and maybe the cam, etc. All the late blocks are the same.

Ask for the 49 truck pump - it'll save a lot of arguing with the counter guy.

 

Do you have the single wide fan belt to drive both of the water pumps and generator, or two narrow (normal) ones?

 

Could you say that again Ross?
All the truck setups I've seen have one wide belt for the fan by itself and a second wide belt for the waterpumps/generator.

I thought cars used narrow belts and maybe 53 trucks.........

 

That's what I meant; all of them have two belts, but the trucks use a single wide belt to drive both water pumps and the generator, while the cars use one narrow belt to drive the generator and the driver's side pump, the other to drive the passenger side water pump and the fan.

 

Mine has a single belt that drives the generator and both water pumps. Thanks again for all your help. Now, its off to NAPA to see if I can get lucky at them having the pump!

 

That probably will take some luck. My old NAPA guy sent mine away somewhere for a rebuild. The $65 from Carpenter probably isn't all that bad a price.

 

Looks like you're right JD. The guy at NAPA didn't instill a great deal of confidence in me. He said he could get the pump, but it was in a warehouse in Colorado. Then he debated with me whether I needed a right or left pump. I said I needed a right hand pump (i.e., passenger or heater core side). He said that would be the left, as if a mechanic had the hood open and was looking at the engine. I left ......... and will order from Carpenter. Besides Carpenter also has the gasket and the motor mounts that I might just as well replace.

 

Just tell the NAPA guy you want part number WP 598153. Remanufactured right-hand pump. $58.59 on-line from NAPA. Then tell him to go back to school, left/right is always from the driver's vantage point while seated. IIRC, it comes with a gasket (i.e., it doesn't say it does, but it does).


(I am assuming your engine is a 52, not sure if it matters if it's a 48)