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My 1938, 216 engine is leaking coolant on the floor. It’s not a hose or the radiator and I’m not sure where it’s coming from. Could my water pump be bad? It leaks very strange. It only leaks after the engine is run for a while and much later after the engine is off. It doesn’t leak while the engine is running. Very strange.
Last edited by fast38eddy; 01/06/24 11:51 PM.
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Best guess is the water pump.
Rusty
VCCA #44680
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Especially if the trail is down the front of the engine. I believe the early models had an adjustable seal on the water pump shaft which could solve your problem.
Tony
1938 1/2 ton Hope to drive it before I retire
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The correct 1938 water pump uses a sealed double bearing shaft. Easy to rebuild if you can find a kit.
Rusty
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fast38eddy |
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To replace the water pump I would need to remove the hood, grille, and radiator, correct?
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That depends on how flexible you are. I replaced the pump on my 38 with everything in place. There's a lot of side to side involved. Removing the hood is usually a two person job so a bit of side to side is preferable to me.
VCCA Member 43216
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
1938 HB Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan
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Interesting! Not sure how to do that?
Last edited by fast38eddy; 01/08/24 12:44 PM.
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Backyard Mechanic
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I replaced my 1938chevy waterpump with everything in place. I did not have to remove the hood or radiator. It is a tight fit.
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. If it leaks on the floor of the car, it's probably the heater core. If it leaks on the garage floor under the trans, the clean out valve lower left rear of engine may have jiggled open or bourdon tube bulb connection may leak or head gasket at rear may leak or freeze plug at rear of block may have rusted thru. (Sorry about run on sentence.) .
. If you drive with no leak, Park, close door and start to walk away and it piddles out the over flow tube that's normal. The residual heat of the engine keeps the water expanding but the fan and water pump are no longer cooling so expanded water leaves as it should. To stop it from leaking you could install an overflow tank. Your system is not designed for a pressurized cap so no more than 4 lbs. . .
. The closer the fan is to the radiator, the better it cools and the greater chance they will hit. Too close and you have to pull the radiator to change the fan belt. Usually when the water pump leaks, it does so continuously. .
. Try putting dye in your coolant to find exactly where it is leaking. Good luck, Lou .
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The early 1938 had the bushing and packing water pump. The late has the ball bearing sealed type pump.
Gene Schneider
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Did you remove the water pump with the fan attached?
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I removed the fan first. A ratcheting box end wrench makes that job a bit "easier" with the limited clearance.
VCCA Member 43216
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
1938 HB Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan
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Lou, I never thought of the overflow tube. That could be the culprit. I wonder why after the engine is turned off and after sitting for a while, it is releasing coolant?
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The cause of pushing water out the overflow is one of the following:
Overfilled radiator
Air in the coolant expanding as it gets hotter and/or the internal coolant passage pressure is lowered.
"After boil" due to steam generation in the engine coolant passages with little to no coolant movement
Draining of coolant because the engine coolant passages are above the radiator outlet.
How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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