Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines short waterpump failure

I have a shortened waterpump I think I bought from Jim Carter that went bad with less the 7000 miles in 7 years on the road,the belt was loose and I thightened it and went for a drive and the pulley is now in the radiator. Has anyone else had this problem before,I am not certain whether the pulley came off the shaft or the shaft broke but it looks like I have to cut the waterpump to be able to remove the radiator. Since this pump had the small 216 style pulley I am going to get one with a correct size pulley,I have what looks to be a factory GM shortened waterpump with the correct size pulley that I took off a 55 to 62 235 or 261 that was in a 47 to 53 chevy 1 1/2 ton truck that was in a junkyard I frequented but if its not rebuildable I will get a correct pump and pulley from patricks. Jeff

Dear Jeff;

The lenght of the shaft shouldn't mater at all, as the belt (wide/thin) is in the same position. The tightness of the belt will however. There should be 3/4" 'free play'.

Quite often there to tight, so be carefull.

The samller pulley used on the 'early' 216/235 engines does make run a little faster but the bearing is the same.

Good luck.

I might have got the belt a little too tight but there has ben a noise from the front of the motor that I thought was a squeeky belt that was probably a bad bearing in the pump and I made it worse. Jeff