I’ve replaced most of what can be replaced in my engine and I’m now getting back to the water pump where I started. I’ve got 2 kits all slightly different. First one had the groove for the retaining clip in a slightly different position than the original. That probably doesn’t but the groove for the retainer was too shallow and that does. The second kit seemed more like the original so I used that.
Still can’t get the clip to go in more than 1/4 inch and stops. Am I missing something? I took the bearing out again (not easy) and find that the groove in the housing seems very slightly pitted. I don.t think those original housings are available. Any suggestions?
Tom, the bearing with 2 grooves is used in 2 different applications. All you have to worry about is that the bearing is a tight fit in the front cover and that you heat the area around the water pump on the cover to HOT when removing and inserting the bearing. If you cannot fit the wire clip, it does not matter. If you need the wire clip to stop the bearing from moving in service, the front cover is U/S. I suppose a loctite glue would work in that instance, but I have been lucky enough over the years to have never needed it.
Make sure that the bearing is pressed in so that it is absolutely flush with the top of the boss on the cover, where the pulley sits. When it is, the correct groove on the bearing will show down the hole that the clip fits in. I can post a picture if you need any carity.
Leslie
Thanks much Leslie. In spite of the fact that I removed and installed the bearing several times, while heating the casting each time, it seems to have retained a good interference fit.
I’ll live with that. Perhaps a bit of blue loctite wouldn’t hurt either.
Tom