Chevrolet Stovebolt Water Pump

The motor in my truck is a 1954 Chevrolet 235 but the truck is a 1950 (originally having a 216). The crankshaft pulley is correct for the motor (3/8" groove) but the generator and water pump are original to the truck (both have 5/8" groove pulleys). Does anyone know if a 3/8" water pump will fit on the motor with no problems or will the fan not clear the radiator? If there is a problem, does anyone have a solution like a short shaft pump or can nothing be done? The only reason I ask is because there is horrible belt squeal when I go over 40 or 45 mph (which is about top speed for the 1 ton).

Thanks for the help,

Peter

 

Chevy's of the 40's makes a conversion pump for cars. A stock 54+ pump might clear in a truck though.

 

Just drive 35

 

You could change out the pulley on the water pump to a 3/8 but you would have to contend with larger pulley on the generator, unless you want to convert to an alternator. The 3/8 belt should be fine in the larger pulley. Just sits deeper. Is the belt tight? Where is the squealing coming from. Could the generator or water pump be going out?I had a throw out bearing make a terrible noise in my truck. Are you sure it's the belt. Spray some belt dressing on it just to be sure. That would be where I would start.

 

Parts houses: Jim Carters, Filling Station, Obsolete Chevy, Chevys of. he 40s.
A good web site is Stovebolt.com . Ive got two 46 half tons with a 235 and a 216.

 

You could try running a 1/2 belt which would ride too high on the crank pulley but might work or you can get a 53 to 54 waterpump which will have the narrower groove. A late '50's generator pulley is another item you need to scare up. Pulleys are pressed on the early style pump and not generally replaceable.

 

I run a wide belt on my 1960 235, I just used my 216 balancer, water pump, and put a wide alt. pulley on when I went 12 volts. Never had any issues.

 

Thank you for all the replies. I have an extra motor at home so I think maybe I will take the water pump off of there and see if it fits. If not then I think I will try a 1/2" belt and maybe that will fit a little bit tighter in the water pump pulley.
I found that Jim Carter's sell a short shaft water pump for putting a 1955 and older 235 in the advance design trucks and then you have to use a 216 fan blade. Does anyone know if this works?

Thanks,
Peter

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The motor is a 1954 by the way.

 

I put a 1961 235 in my 51 Chevy had the problem with the pulley sticking out to far took in the garage pressed it in till it was were I needed it found a pulley at the auto wrecking work perfect

 

I had an interference problem between fan and rad on mine ('52 235 with unknown year water pump)... I just pressed the pulley further onto the shaft, then cut the excess shaft off. 3/8 pulley on the pump, generator replaced with alternator with 3/8 pulley, and stock 5/8 pulley on crank... no squeals or issues. I think you may have another issue (pump bearings, generator, etc.) if the belt is tight and it's still squealing.

 

That's not for '55 and older engines, it's for '55 and newer. Totally different design than the pre-'55 engines.

 

Read this page and you'll have a much better understanding of what you're working with. Personally I'm a fan of using an early pump on the later blocks by means of an adapter plate which is shown in the link.


http://pugetsoundvintagechevrolet.org/Programs/6%20cylinder%20engines%20with%20photos.pdf

 

1) Use the balancer off of the '50 216 and run the wider belt.

OR

2) Get a '54 water pump and use a generator pulley from a '54-up

 

Oh yeah, I meant newer. Sorry about that.

 

That was very interesting. Thank you for sharing that with me.

 

Install a earlier balancer or get a 54 waterpump and generator pulley.

 

Call Patrick. I think he has the pump to take care of the problem. Google him.
Later,
Dick