Thread: I found what blew in my engine!

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Yep, that wear pattern sure looks like the vanes were not running true. The really strange part is, I looked inside the first pump that failed, to compare it to this one, and that ring is actually a round plate. It wasn't shaped like this one. I think this one was also just a round plate when I had the back off to repair the gasket in Daytona. I remember that I couldn't see the vanes because I was trying to make sure I truly had the V belt version and was trying to determine which way it was designed to run. I think the spinning vanes reshaped that plate into the cuplike shape it is now.

There is also the possiblility I am overdriving this pump. Ford Racing discontinued their pulley set for this short pump so I was on my own. I bought a set of Zoops pulleys and had the bottom one machined to fit my damper. The water pump pulley is way smaller than the one on my Son Don's 302. His crank pulley is smaller and the water pump pulley is bigger, mine is just the opposite.

I just found the company who made Ford Racings pulleys and am going to buy a set of theirs to slow down the pump rotatilon. Maybe that is why I blew the gaskets out of two pumps too, way too much pressure. I also noticed that at idle my car runs cooler than going down the road. Maybe the water is flowing too fast to be cooled by the radiator.

Don

Don - FlowKooler used to sell a separate ring that you could add to your existing pump impeller similar to what is on that SVT pump. I don't think it's still available, but it was attached using SS pop rivets. I had this little device on a water pump that was used on a 351W for a good many years with no problems ever - and it actually seemed to help the cooling. You might consider drilling and adding some SS pop rivets to back up those lousy spot welds if it's at all possible. Since this was befor digital cameras, I probably don't have any photos

Dave, great idea........I'm going to do that. I have some short ss pop rivets and will put them in. Much better than us welding and heating up the pump.

The one good thing is, I can pull my pan now and check bearing wear and all before buttoning it back up.

Don

that could be going on is the both side s are hitting bearing could be bad but the over all is to big for the pump cavity then the gaskets gets screwed down it start things rubbing .if you use another pump take cover off and tig weld the ring on . i would put some putty on 3 spots. put the back cover on screw it back down see if there any room by checking the putty if not much used two gaskets till you get room.as for china bearing they could be but for them to go that fast ? i would press pump hub out and rework it with usa parts if you can find any

drill small holes and weld it together.you could dang sure do a better job than who ever welded that one.i did that to mine and it still works good.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

There is also the possiblility I am overdriving this pump. Ford Racing discontinued their pulley set for this short pump so I was on my own. I bought a set of Zoops pulleys and had the bottom one machined to fit my damper. The water pump pulley is way smaller than the one on my Son Don's 302. His crank pulley is smaller and the water pump pulley is bigger, mine is just the opposite.

Don

Don,
As a point of reference my billet pulleys from Rocky Hinge are 6"OD on the crank, 5"OD on the pump.

spot welds only work good on flat smooth surface and with grinding marks on the impeller that is far from flat heat for welds has to be alot hotter .but thats stating the odvious . don this really did not blown your engine up did it ?

No Pat, the engine only sounded like it blew. I was driving on the way home, following Don and Dan in the motorhome, when I started hearing something like a rythmic tick. Then it got a little louder, and finally it got REAL loud, so I called them on my cell and told them to pull over. I shut it down and when I started it up to drive it on the trailer I was sure it was something in the valve train that had come loose because the oil pressure and temp were fine. I can't explain the racket it was making.......it was LOUD.

The car cranked slow too, which I now know was from trying to turn that frozen up pump. But I was convinced it was something not so good internally. I've been so mad at that d*** car that I just let it sit untouched for the past month. For all the years I drove this car it was never a problem whatsoever, but this water pump thing had me pulling what little hair I have out. I did learn that with this engine and the deep gears it isn't the long distance cruiser it used to be. But it will be fun around town.

Don

Don,
Sorry for all that trouble it caused, but glad to hear it wasn't more serious. Good luck on trying to recover expenses. I broke a valve spring on one of my pro stock motors, wiped out a brand new Donovan block and one head. Complained to the spring manufacture about the new spring that didn't last one run. They said no problem they would take care of it. I got 1 new valve spring in the mail a few days later.
Good luck.
Ken

Ouch, Ken!! That was VERY big of them. As I was tearing down my 27 yesterday Dan was pounding away on his grille shell, and cussing at it. I turned to him and said "We gotta start fishing!" Building these cars is so much fun, and really doesn't cost much at all!!!!!!

If Bass Pro Shop is open today I'm heading there to pick up some lures.

Don

i lost valve springs or fixed engines that did use .k motions .cranes .comp beehive . two sets of matons .but in one case i did get one new valve spring and do not use there springs any more i had very good luck with the springs i use now i just keep fingers cross the more you know how EZ this stuff can go side way getting made and fail the less sleep i get at night

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Ouch, Ken!! That was VERY big of them. As I was tearing down my 27 yesterday Dan was pounding away on his grille shell, and cussing at it. I turned to him and said "We gotta start fishing!" Building these cars is so much fun, and really doesn't cost much at all!!!!!!

If Bass Pro Shop is open today I'm heading there to pick up some lures.

Don

well ask my step dad he got about the same money in fishing stuff as you have in one of your cars. the shop in town has my step dad on speed dail

Hehe, yep, by the time you factor in the boat, motor, gas, and all the fishing gear, the fish you catch ends up costing you about $ 1,000 per pound. But it's a great excuse to sit back, drink a cold one, and wait for the next "big one that got away" to jump on our line so we can lie to our buddies.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Hehe, yep, by the time you factor in the boat, motor, gas, and all the fishing gear, the fish you catch ends up costing you about $ 1,000 per pound. But it's a great excuse to sit back, drink a cold one, and wait for the next "big one that got away" to jump on our line so we can lie to our buddies.

Don

Yeah, and if you don't put a hook on the end of the line it becomes a really relaxing day!!!!!

That blows Don but ... on the bright side of things ... it wasn't something internal that you might have done or a part that wiped out a block or head!!

Paul