WATER PUMPS

Dear Keith,

Let me say how good it was to read the step by step guide to replacing a water pump (exactly what the members have been asking for), this reminded me of a past article by Mike Lotwis on Interceptor water pumps.

This was published way back in December 1988 (Issue No.83) so let me give a precise of what was written.

There are over three types of water pump that will fit the Jensen, two from Chrysler and many more from ‘after market’ manufacturers.

The one that is required for our application is an eight bladed and 4.5-inch diameter pump.

They are available down to six blades and 3.75-inch pumps. Chrysler have the large bladed pump down as a non-A/C application, this was because Chrysler wanted to slow down the water flow on air-conditioned cars.

Also most Chrysler engined cars had a radiator with only two cores, therefore the water quantity that had to be cooled was a lot less than ours with four cores as standard and even five and six core as modifications. Another thing to be wary of is the size of the water pump bearing, the lower idler on the pump belt is to equalise the pull on the bearing with the engine and steering pump.

This signifies that the bearing was not ‘man’ enough for the job therefore we have the two-pulley system. Most of the pumps now have a ‘beefed up’ bearing, and the comparison between your old and new pump shows this very well.

To summarise, when buying a water pump get an eight bladed 4.5-inch diameter one with the larger bearing, the correct one will help stop that ‘hot running’.