The unsettling whiff of antifreeze--that "hot" aroma you notice while walking past the grille after a drive--is reason enough to open the hood and check it out. Getting a classic Mustang's cooling system back up to par takes due diligence--close inspection at least once a year--along with a complete flush and fresh coolant every two years along with a new thermostat. Every four years, you should install new hoses and a water pump, which can save you the inconvenience and embarrassment of a nasty boil-over.
If you see coolant leaking from the vent hole at the bottom of the water pump casting, then the seals are going bad and it's time to replace the pump.
Mustangs & Fast Fords OC in Santa Ana, California, does a lot of restoration work for customers from all over the southwest. However, the lion's share of business comes from daily and weekend drivers in need of periodic maintenance and repair. An excellent example is this '65 Mustang daily driver, a six-cylinder hardtop with a V-8 conversion that's badly in need of cooling system maintenance.
Although the owner hasn't complained of overheating, it at least has a three-row core radiator but no thermostat and an incorrect fan. Worst of all, it suffers from a leaking water pump. When we called Steve Bennett at California Mustang and told him of our woes, he set us up with a #8501B iron water pump with right-hand inlet ('65-'69) along with high-quality reproduction radiator hoses from Marti Auto Works along with hose clamps and a 180-degree thermostat.
1 California Mustang has...
1 California Mustang has everything you need to replace your water pump, including the associated parts. We ordered an #8501B iron water pump for '65-'69 289/302/351W engines (right hand inlet), upper and lower radiator hoses, clamps, bypass hose, single-rung water pump pulley, and 180-degree F thermostat. Mustangs & Fast Fords OC supplied the antifreeze.
2 The lower radiator hose...
2 The lower radiator hose is removed first using a 5/16-inch socket to loosen the clamp and release coolant. Then remove the upper radiator hose - again using a 5/16-inch socket on the hose clamps.
3 The fan is removed next...
3 The fan is removed next using a 1/2-inch combination wrench on the box end. Paul Gammerino of Mustangs & Fast Fords OC recommends protecting the radiator because it is easy to slip and puncture the tubes.
4 To free the fan belt, the...
4 To free the fan belt, the alternator pivot and slide adjustment bolts are loosened using 5/8- and 9/16-inch sockets. Then remove the alternator or swing it out of the way. Don't forget to disconnect the battery.
5 The bypass and heater hoses...
5 The bypass and heater hoses are disconnected from the water pump using a 5/16-inch socket.
6 The water pump bolts and...
6 The water pump bolts and alternator bracket are removed next using a 1/2-inch socket. AMK offers new replacement bolts in a kit, available from most Mustang parts vendors, but Mustangs & Fast Fords didn't have one in stock for this job, so we had to clean up the original hardware for reinstallation.
7 Water pump removal is next....
7 Water pump removal is next. If yours is stubborn, use a gasket scraper or chisel to carefully separate the pump from the timing cover.
8 Contact surfaces are cleaned...
8 Contact surfaces are cleaned with a gasket scraper and dressing wheel.
9 Permatex's The Right Stuff...
9 Permatex's The Right Stuff is sparingly applied to the gasket contact surfaces.
10 Already painted, our California...
10 Already painted, our California Mustang #8501B iron water pump is carefully installed using bolts for alignment and seating.
11 Bolts are tightened in...
11 Bolts are tightened in a crisscross fashion to 12-15 ft/lbs in one-third values for uniform seating. This is the time to reinstall the alternator bracket, alternator, and accessories like power steering pump and air conditioning compressor.
12 We're using a 180-degree...
12 We're using a 180-degree F Stant thermostat from California Mustang for proper operation. Use sealer sparingly for the thermostat and gasket.
13 The new bypass hose is...
13 The new bypass hose is trimmed for proper fit and installed using new clamps. These are concours restoration grade clamps. However, for your daily or weekend driver, high-quality worm gear clamps will suffice.
14 A reproduction fan spacer...
14 A reproduction fan spacer from Scott Drake Reproductions puts the "X" fan right where it should be. If you're running a standard four-blade "X" fan, it needs to be at least one-inch from the radiator.
15 Radiator hoses are installed...
15 Radiator hoses are installed last. Be prepared to trim the upper hose for proper fit due to a variety of applications. Be sure to install an anti-collapse spring in the lower hose if it didn't come with one.