SCFFR
05-20-2013, 05:04 AM
I had posted a thread a few days ago that after only about 15 minutes running time on my new 410W engine, I developed a leak around the Ford Racing water pump I had installed. I had also posted another thread regarding replacement gaskets for the pump without any luck. I finally had to call the Ford Racing tech line and found out the standard rotation listed in the FRPP catalog is the same as the unit used on the 1983-1985 Crown Vic with either the 302 or 351 engine. I was able to get a pair of FelPro gaskets for this application at the local NAPA store along with a tube of the Permatex anaerobic sealer that I had never used before.
Happy to report that the second installation was successful and I was able to idle the engine until it reached 90C (about 194F) and the cooling fan started running as designed. I'm still sticking my head under the car looking for drips on the garage floor but so far, so good.
Had I not been able to find workable gaskets, my plan B was to use "Right Stuff" gasket sealer without any gaskets. However, I did noticed that when I pushed the backing plate up to the back of the pump, it felt like the shaft was touching the inside of the plate. So the gasket helped space this out a little.
The Permatex anaerobic sealer was very easy to apply.........much like a red gel toothpaste. It hardens in the absence of air so you have plenty of working time to get the pump in place and bolted down. To help keep from spreading the sealer, I took two 8" lengths of 5/16" threaded rod and screwed them into two of the holes in the timing cover. I was then able to guide the water pump, plate to pump gasket and all that sealer into place on the timing cover. A couple of the bolts held it in place and I removed the threaded rods and installed the other bolts. I also put some thread sealer on the four bolts that go on either side of the water ports. I can't remember if I did this the first time so this might have been the source of the leak. After I had everything bolted down, I just let the sealer sit for 24 hours before I added coolant back to the system.
Certainly nothing exciting but realized that it's something that has to be carefully done.
Ron
Happy to report that the second installation was successful and I was able to idle the engine until it reached 90C (about 194F) and the cooling fan started running as designed. I'm still sticking my head under the car looking for drips on the garage floor but so far, so good.
Had I not been able to find workable gaskets, my plan B was to use "Right Stuff" gasket sealer without any gaskets. However, I did noticed that when I pushed the backing plate up to the back of the pump, it felt like the shaft was touching the inside of the plate. So the gasket helped space this out a little.
The Permatex anaerobic sealer was very easy to apply.........much like a red gel toothpaste. It hardens in the absence of air so you have plenty of working time to get the pump in place and bolted down. To help keep from spreading the sealer, I took two 8" lengths of 5/16" threaded rod and screwed them into two of the holes in the timing cover. I was then able to guide the water pump, plate to pump gasket and all that sealer into place on the timing cover. A couple of the bolts held it in place and I removed the threaded rods and installed the other bolts. I also put some thread sealer on the four bolts that go on either side of the water ports. I can't remember if I did this the first time so this might have been the source of the leak. After I had everything bolted down, I just let the sealer sit for 24 hours before I added coolant back to the system.
Certainly nothing exciting but realized that it's something that has to be carefully done.
Ron