Water pump bolts

-
V8 Sam

V8 Sam

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2012
Messages
151
Reaction score
39
Location
United Kingdom
Apologies if this is in the wrong section

But does anyone know what type (size and width) this bolt is?

Changing the alternator bracket on the small block dart. Top bolt came off no problems bottom one (the one circled) took much more persuading spinning around and around. Infact it got stuck 80% of the way out and needed some tapping with a hammer and chisel to get it to budge.

Now when I go to put it back in it just slides back and forth with in the hole As if it's not long enough or wide enough to catch the thread, so now I'm wondering if its even the correct bolt and not a bodged fill it with sealent and slide anything in type affair.

IMG_20201020_173526.jpg
 
Last edited:
Perhaps you stripped the threads in the block?

You can take a piece of wire and see how deep the hole is till you hit the cyl wall or the like.
 
Does the same 9/16 wrench or socket fit both bolt heads? Try the 3/8 bolt in upper hole in that hole.
 
Yeah I'm Hoping it's not threaded in the block. As thst is going to be a massive pain.

The top bolt also didn't fit but it is shorter.

So I'm just wondering if this is a Mish mash of bolts all bodged together.
 
I wish I could take the bolts out of my engine to identify them for you. One or both of them goes into a coolant passage. I would have to drain the coolant and apply thread sealant to the bolts again :(
I dont know if you can helicoil that hole without pulling the timing cover. Good luck with it.
 
RedFish said:
I wish I could take the bolts out of my engine to identify them for you. One or both of them goes into a coolant passage. I would have to drain the coolant and apply thread sealant to the bolts again :(
I dont know if you can helicoil that hole without pulling the timing cover. Good luck with it.
Click to expand...

Yeah not to worry about doing all that bud. But it someone has some on shelf that would be ideal to measure.

That's the one that came out..water an all

IMG_20201020_161826.jpg
 
V8 Sam said:
Apologies if this is in the wrong section

But does anyone know what type (size and width) this bolt is?

Changing the alternator bracket on the small block dart. Top bolt came off no problems bottom one (the one circled) took much more persuading spinning around and around. Infact it got stuck 80% of the way out and needed some tapping with a hammer and chisel to get it to budge.

Now when I go to put it back in it just slides back and forth with in the hole As if it's not long enough or wide enough to catch the thread, so now I'm wondering if its even the correct bolt and not a bodged fill it with sealent and slide anything in type affair.

View attachment 1715616246
Click to expand...


It should be the same length as the one above it....
 
Ok, well it's definitely not the same length.

I also have no idea what has been done to this car prior to my owner ship so no idea if it's been a bodge back together job or not.

The two bolts in question are the two alternator bracket holding bolts.

The top one (possibly wrong anyway) slides in and catches the thread and can be tightened as usual

The bottom one the one circled does not.

I am unsure if the thread in the block has gone, the bolt snapped in two inside the thread or if the bolt was wrong yo start off with an just pushed in there with a bunch of sealent or what ever and hope for the best.

If anyone has the correct length/width bolt I can order one single bolt in those the diameters and see if this solves my issue before I start taking the whole thing apart

:thumbsup:
 
Do not trust any measurement you are given. You have access to measure correctly.
That bolt goes through the water pump, all the way through the timing cover, and threads into the block itself, usually into the water jacket.
Measure that length, add thickness of your brackets that bolt passes through, and then add about 3/8” to 1/2” for the actual threaded portion. That will be your true bolt length needed. Size diameter is 3/8”.
 
It's the same length as the top one. If it won't screw in, the threads are probably gone. Or, did you snap the other one off, look at it, threads gone?
 
CRUZE 418 said:
It's the same length as the top one. If it won't screw in, the threads are probably gone. Or, did you snap the other one off, look at it, threads gone?
Click to expand...
No not really. They have seen better days a little pitted etc but nothing to suggest it's threaded.

Nothing came out with it either, only water.
 
Are you saying it slides all the way in and the bolt head contacts the water pump without ever catching threads?
That black color on the old bolt is bad corrosion. Very common. If you get it figured out, make sure final assembly includes thread sealer or RTV silicone.
 
lilfontleroy said:
my own curiosity and memory failure ~ are you sure? I thought the bolt in question here is the alt bolt that gets the spacers and is longer... no?
Click to expand...

V8 Sam said:
Ok, well it's definitely not the same length.

I also have no idea what has been done to this car prior to my owner ship so no idea if it's been a bodge back together job or not.

The two bolts in question are the two alternator bracket holding bolts.

The top one (possibly wrong anyway) slides in and catches the thread and can be tightened as usual

The bottom one the one circled does not.

I am unsure if the thread in the block has gone, the bolt snapped in two inside the thread or if the bolt was wrong yo start off with an just pushed in there with a bunch of sealent or what ever and hope for the best.

If anyone has the correct length/width bolt I can order one single bolt in those the diameters and see if this solves my issue before I start taking the whole thing apart

:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

No, the alternator bracket goes to both holes and the bolts are the same length... About 4" if I remember correctly...
 
Bobzilla said:
Are you saying it slides all the way in and the bolt head contacts the water pump without ever catching threads?
That black color on the old bolt is bad corrosion. Very common. If you get it figured out, make sure final assembly includes thread sealer or RTV silicone.
Click to expand...

Yup, all the way in and bolt head hits water pump, (hence why I thought it was not long enough)

I'll.make sure the threads are well sealed up before it goes back too
 
There is a spot on some engine where too long bolt will hit a cylinder wall. I Think that is lower bolt on left side of this engine where screw up happened. I know the bolts are 2 different lengths over there. These 2 on the right should be the same length but I'm not absolutely sure. Someone here has a 273 or 318 with cast iron water pump that they can take these bolts out of. I had one here up until last Friday afternoon. :(
The same rusted bolt condition can exist on the other side of the water pump. New water pump and 4 new bolts is probably the best plan.
Your change alternator bracket became Nightmare On Chrysler Street. Those movies usually have sequels. Yours doesn't have to. Dig in and kill the monster.
 
The alt bracket I took off was only connected to the top bolt.

I wonder if this was why! :rolleyes:

I have a new pump ready to go on anyway. Wasn't planning on doing it just yet!

Typical!
 
I am confused about some of your explanations. Wanted to send a picture of mine but can't get the lighting right, picture will not load. It sounds to me like you may not have the correct brackets and bolts for your application. They are available. Maybe you would have better luck with pictures and your set up. Something seems off.
 
The current alt bracket is a home fabrication type job, done before I owned it. it only uses the top water pump bolt. (The one circled)

I have since got ahold of a proper small block Alt bracket.

It was during the removal of the lower waterjacket type bolt to fit the new.alt bracket I stumbled upon the problem.

Now I'm wondering if this is the reason why the old bracket wasn't refitted. As this bolt may have been an issue? wrong size? Wrong width? Shredded thread inside the block? Who knows

Hence me asking if anyone had the correct sizes so I can get one and try that rather then buying a complete set.

IMG_20201021_171611.jpg
 
Was going to again suggest getting new brackets and bolts for your application. Your from United Kingdom ? I bought all of this new, from Mega Parts in Wisconsin. . Going out to the garage in an hour or so, should have the old bolts, will get a measurement and maybe a picture.
 
Dana67Dart said:
You can take a piece of wire and see how deep the hole is till you hit the cyl wall or the like
Click to expand...
V8 Sam said:
Wire coat hanger time then
Click to expand...


(YELLING) HAVE YOU PUT A LONG WIRE IN THE HOLE TO SEE THE MAXIMUM DEPTH OF THE HOLE!

not yelling... If you put a small bend on the end of the wire you can find the inner lip of the cast iron that you are trying to screw the bolt into
 
CRUZE 418 said:
Was going to again suggest getting new brackets and bolts for your application. Your from United Kingdom ? I bought all of this new, from Mega Parts in Wisconsin. . Going out to the garage in an hour or so, should have the old bolts, will get a measurement and maybe a picture.
Click to expand...

Have new alt bracket for small block. Just the bolts that are the issue.

If it's a wrong bolt I will buy a complete set.

If it's not I don't want to buy a complete set untill I have rectified the issue



And no I haven't tried that wire yet haven't been with the car today as garage is away from home
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top