Hi all!

I plan on making an introduction post in the "Members Vans" section later today, complete with pictures, but for now here's a quick rundown. I own a 1974 E-100 with a 302 and a three on the tree. She's "Ford blue" (she's scheduled to get repainted next year - the awful Chicago winter wasn't kind to her, doubly so considering she had that weak water-downed Fresno paint) and she's a shorty. I'm the second owner (bought her in 2007!) and still keep in touch with the original owner. She's my baby and, at 67,000 miles, will be for a good long while.

Unfortunately, after a good long road trip across beautiful Northern Illinois, the water pump is starting to go. She's leaking out of the weep hole a bit. It's the original water pump - not bad considering it is 35 years old! The only trouble is that I'm having difficulty locating a replacement pump as I am getting conflicting data from dealers/Ford/parts companies. Thus, why I found this forum in the first place, and I'm really glad that I have. Looking at all the members vans over the past day has been so cool!

Now, Motorcraft is saying I need a PW133 (which is the same pump that fits Ford passenger vehicles from the late 60s - which, in turn, would fit a 302 in the passenger car chassis that is underneath my van). It looks exactly the same as mine - bolts, inlet, etc in the same place - but Motorcraft doesn't list the hub height on their website. After four separate calls to Ford I was referred to a dealership who, naturally, didn't want to speak to me about a 35 year old vehicle. Napa, Autozone and O'Reilly all suggest the same style of pump. On the other hand, Milodon/Edelbrock/various Ford dealers all say that I need the pump that fits 70-78 Ford truck chassis - which is completely different. Finally, I got ahold of a gentleman at the parts counter at a rural Ford dealer who had been working there since the 70s and knew exactly what my problem was and what part I need - the PW133.

Nobody knows the hub height, though. None of the parts companies (Napa, Autozone, O'Reilly) list theirs and Milodon/Edelbrock all vary by about .10-.30". You see my dilemma.

So, Parts Gurus, I ask for your expertise. What water pump do I need? Water is the hub height on my factory water pump? What is the acceptable hub height tolerance? What, out of all the brands above, would you suggest? Aluminum or cast iron? My three service manuals are fairly vague on this subject but I assume, given that there is no pry bar slot, that I remove/adjust the belt with the alternator mount (no AC or power steering)?

I thank you in advance for any/all advice you folks have to give. She is my wife and I's touring/road trip van so I want to get things done right and to the best of my ability. I look forward to posting here with all of you.

Bryce

PS. There seems to be a lot of uncertainty regarding second series Econoline parts. When her original heater core went last year I had to send back two separate heater cores as they were the wrong ones. Finally, after calls to distributors all across the country, I bought the very last one ever made from Napa. They were very glad someone finally got it out of their warehouse.

Hi, Sorry have been away from the board the past week or so and just getting back. Assuming you still have the original 302 that came with the van there are two choices for a water pump on a 1974 model. 1968 to 1974 E-series 302 with out thermactor emission controls used water pump number AW1028 (airtex brand), this would also be the same as PW-133 Motorcraft or 55-1028 NAPA. Because of newer emmission controls the 1974 model 302 also had the option of having thermactor emission controls (basically an air pump) and used part number AW1052 (airtex brand) this would also be 55-1052 NAPA.

Chances are you do not or never had the thermactor emission controls as this would have been more common for west coast models. Also there is a Ford casting number on your old pump, if you get that number I can cross reference it to confirm what pump you have.

Here is another thought to think of when doing this job, one of the weak links on a Ford small block is the bolts holding the waterpump to the front of the engine. They are undersized in dia. and also pass thru an aluminum timing cover housing that causes the bolt to seize up and may break off. You are also more than halfway to checking and changing the timing gears and chain when doing the pump. How many miles are on the motor? If its in the 80 thousand mile range or higher now would be the time to change them being this close. If you do change them make sure you order a 1971 or older gear and chain set as they are not retarded like the 72 and newer models for emmission standards. Also make sure when ordering the gear set that the cam gear is steel not plastic like the OEM gear would have been. Anyway food for thought. John

Hi John,

First of all: Happy Thanksgiving! I am both very thankful and grateful for your knowledge and the fact that you take time out of your day to share it.

I'm sorry I have taken so long to reply. Right around the time I was going to replace the water pump I started a new job and that took the backburner. Today, however, I set out to complete the job and did just that. Your expertise and advice probably saved me countless hours and bucks - as did the experience of others on this very forum that have posted about water pump replacement. I was slow, methodical and patient when extracting the bolts. Oddly enough, it wasn't any of the outside bolts that pass through the timing cover housing that seized and snapped - out of all the bolts it was the left "interior" bolt (the one closest to the hub that is "hidden" underneath the alternator mounting bracket) that finally broke. I spent a good hour just on that bolt alone but she just didn't wanna part ways! (I have a question about this below)

I also took this opportunity to do a lot of routine maintenance: belt replacement, radiator flush, cleaned the spark plugs, replaced the accelerator pump and adjusted the carb and numerous other things. Every time I "open her up" I realize again what a fine machine the Econolines are and how much she has reinvigorated my love for working on cars. She's purring like a kitten and what a beautiful sound it is.

Now, about that ornery bolt... is this an issue requiring immediate attention? If it were one of the main mounting bolts I wouldn't even ask this question, but since that bolt seems to be ancillary and there appears to be no leaking issue I am hoping that I can put off drilling it out until spring, when I plan to do a whole slew of maintenance (timing gears and chain for one; she's "only" at 67,000 miles right now but might as well do it - also a complete carb rebuild). I only drive her a max of 100 miles a month, even less during the winter. I don't have a garage I can work on her in right now (had to do the job today in the alley behind my flat) and won't until spring and, though I loathe to do so, I kind of have to wait. Your thoughts?

Again, thank you for your all of your help, John (and everyone else who has written on this forum).

Bryce