Short Nose Water Pump

[pspeaks]

I have come to the realization that I don't have enough room for my electric radiator fan.  Actually I already knew that but have been putting off replacing the long nose water pump with a short one on my 1978 302.  Now I could buy one from Roush for $130  but would just as soon get one from NAPA or somebody like that for a little less.  So I guess I need to know which Fords used the short nose pump so I won't scare the heck out of the young kid at the parts store when I try to tell him what I'm doing.  I've learned it's not always a good idea to tell them the truth when they ask what kind of car you need parts for.

Paul

[pointnette]

So, I see you've read Steinbeck's Cannery Row...

Stan

[kstevusa]

Paul, I used the Explorer cover and water pump..  There may be another pump that will bolt to the old cover, but I do not know.   The Explorer also has a different damper and it fits well also.  had to make a 1//4" spacer to use my March pulleys.  Keep plug'in, you'll succeed.

[pspeaks]

My 78 Mustang motor is a 28oz and the Explorer, I think, is a 56oz. and the harmonic balancers aren't interchangeable.  I thought I'd never find  a 28oz flywheel for it, but like you say, if I "Keep on Plug-in"  I'll eventually get it.  I might also discover some creative way to move the radiator forward a few millimeters which is all I need.   I thought about notching the front brace, the one with the hood latch on it,  but I don't want to mess with the latch assembly.  It's all just part of the puzzle of life.  Over the past 35 years this little car has given me a few challenges  but I've always been smart enough to beat it, or at least you guys have and I tell the little car it was my idea.  One year I forgot it's birthday and I'm still paying for that!

Paul

[kstevusa]

Yes. late model 5.0L are 50 OZ  (1980-on) and earlier 302's are 28 OZ.  not to interchanged.  also some time in late 70"s , early 80's the rear seal was changed to 1 piece. also the blocks are a bit lighter in late models.  5.0L were plentiful in all large cars of the Ford line and trucks plus Mercury and Lincoln.
SAFETY FASTER!

[pspeaks]

Another weird thing, which I find isn't all that uncommon.  My 302 came out of a 79 Mustang but the numbers on the block say it is a 78.


Paul

[tbo]

I dont recall too much about Cannery Row, But I certainly remember explaining too much to the guy at the parts counter as I'm sure all of us have once or twice.

[pspeaks]

I had a guy at an Autozone once tell me you can't put a Ford V8 in an MG, as if I were making it up.  I just said Wana bet!

[MGBV8]

Amateurs!

[pointnette]

Tim, in Cannery Row, Doc, the principle character explains about his beard and how he learned that great and noble though it may be,"Honesty is not always the best policy !"
This he discovered one summer when he was at University and decided to make a walking tour of the South. At first he told people the truth. That he was doing it because he enjoyed walking and wanted to see the countryside. But when the people he met heard this, they locked the women and children in the houses, got out their guns and loosed the dogs on him.

So, he decided to tell people he was doing it to win a bet and there, he found the people patted him on the back and invited him to eat with them and sometimes, even provided him with a bed for the night. And that is why he tells people he wears a beard to cover a scar on his face rather than the truth: That he likes wearing a beard...

And that is why it's not always a good idea to tell the kid behind the counter at NAPA, the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth !

Stan

[pspeaks]

So, I guess it's not just my dishonest face!


Paul

[Moderator]

I nominate Stan's "truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth" for Post of the Week, and I've added Cannery Row to my reading list.

[pspeaks]

I read Cannery Row in collage and could put it on my Kindle so I could read it again, or it could read it to me, but now days I'm probably to lazy even for that.  

OH, I forgot to mention, I have a 2003 302 out of my daughter's late Explorer, rest it's soul, I'll take a look at the water pump on it and see if I can make something work there.  The balancer will be 50oz but who knows, it's only money!  It wasn't available when I built the 78/79 engine for my GT or I would have used it.  On the other hand if I had known how inexpensive a 331 stroker kit is from Speedway, I wouldn't have a 302 today.


Paul

[kstevusa]

Paul, what is it about FROGS having wings???  he would not bump his !  

[roverman]

I had an Autozone , assistant manager tell me," Buick never made a 340, they were Mopar". For some it appears, the truth will not set them free...  roverman.

[pspeaks]

I guess there is a lot of "I wish I had" when it comes to V8 converted MG's but the beauty is they're never really finished and sooner or later I'm going to have to open the old 78/79.  Problem is everything in it is brand new, never fired, so it'll be awhile.  Still, I know there is never enough power and my personality and right foot will eventually win out :-)



Paul

[BlownMGB-V8]

We can show you how to fit a 455 Buick...

Jim

[pspeaks]

You know, I took a close look at it, rode in it with Curtis, and I still don't know how you did it, but I love it!

Paul

[tomsbad6]

Will Hello I have no idea about the water pump on the Ford Explorers but on Mustangs the 1994 and 1995 have shorter water pump front pulleys timing cover complete assembly is moved back probably an inch and a half or more no idea why they change the 94  
95 I had no idea there was any difference when I started my V-8 conversion I just got lucky my motor came out of a 1994 cobra the 28 ounce and the 50 ounce balancer bolt mount the same the pictures might not help much but that is the short water pump

[MGB-FV8]

You also have to pay attention to the flywheel which must match the front balancer weight.  Summit Racing makes a neat balancer with bolt-on weights for the correct balance, the same goes for the flywheel, some comes with attachable weights to meet your needs.  Aside from the '94-'95 Mustang, you can also used the '92-'93 T-Bird front cover and water pump set up which also has a very tight fitting front accessory drive for small engine bay.

Happy motoring!

[pspeaks]

Both my balancer and flywheel are 28 oz. I have an extremely worn out 302, that came out of my daughter's 93 Explorer, with a serpentine system but it all looks a bit large,  I still hope to save a little money and get all the stuff stuffed, but if not your suggestions will be a life saver, Not sure about what grind with stock pistons but I'm thinking on installing a little stronger cam and if I do I'll change the cover and pump, of course there is the question of oil dip stick location to consider.  Thanks.

No, this isn't before and after pictures, they are two different engines.  Guess which one is in my GT!

Paul