Iam going to be removing the original waterpumps off my 53 Mercury Flathead.....this will be my first time doing so, anyone ever run into any problems, or have some tips or suggestions they can pass on to a novice??? It seems pretty easy but thats not always the case. Thanks -Bud
Yes, I've done two of these in the last coupla months. Both of em had rounded off bolt heads on the bolt that is inside the radiator hoses. I just take my die grinder and a long, skinny carbide tip and grind the heads off. Then gently tap the pump off. Then, take a vise grip and work the left over stud back and forth till she spins out.
Just remember the obvious: Your pumps are your motor mounts-you need to put a jack under the pan (preferrably with a cushion on it) to relieve the weight on the pumps. And as has been pointed out, don't forget that bolt up inside the water outlet. By all means, start with a 6 point socket so you dont have to resort to grinding the bolt head off.
Its best to replace that bolt with a stainless one when replacing your pumps. Had to cut off the bolt head to remove??? Weld a nut onto the bolt shaft after heating it up and it should come out of there.
And of course use Never Seize on all bolts on install and don't overtighten the hidden bolt and break it off.
Best jack to oil pan cushion is an old phone book...except for people who live in Resume Speed, North Dakota where it's a single page.
I had a friend just replace the pumps on his stock '40. The heads of the hidden bolts were not so good. I had told him to shoot it abundantly with penetrating oil and let it set overnight. He had one of those cheesy grab everything sockets you see advertised on TV and damn, it worked! So, he got the bolts out and replaced all with stainless bolts and never seize as previously suggested here.
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