Waterpump/Front Cover Help Needed Windsor

[wrogers55]

My water pump gasket leak just got nastier.

I have a water leak (under pressure) is on the driver side, front cover at the water port, where it joins the block. I thought it was at the pump, but no.

Now I have to take the front over off and this is a new one to me. It looks like I have to pull the balancer and oil pan. I'm not that unhappy since I also have a tiny but annoying oil pan leak, so good time to fix it as well.

What do I need to know or look out for in the process? Any special ideas on getting the balancer off, other than normal.

The motor is a 418 Windsor, I think the block is date coded a '69, but can confirm if it helps.

I really appreciate the help and experience.

[Rick Parker]

Wayne: The front cover gasket will normally come with sectioned replacement corners for the area of the pan gasket that comes in contact with the bottom of the front cover or you can elect to replace the entire pan gasket after replacing the front cover and its own gasket. The corners of the pan gasket are cut and removed and these pieces used. I am a proponent of the 1 piece gasket from either Victor or Felpro, they have metal insert rings at the bolt holes and prevent overtorquing the gasket and causing it to squirt out, they advertised as being reusable too. Instead of silicone sealant I like "The Right Suff" made by Permatex, it has more body and for my $$ seals better & longer.

Drain the coolant before you start and when removing the front cover gasket from the block face, cover the opening at the front of the pan if it is still on the engine block. You do not want bits of the gasket getting into the oil pan.

[mreid]

Make sure you use a balancer tool to both remove and reinstall the balancer. You can loosen the front bolts on the oil pan and remove/replace the front cover gasket, but depending on where your oil leak is you may want to use this opportunity to replace the oil pan gasket. Since you are replacing the front cover gasket, you might as well replace the front seal. It's cheap and easy to do. If you have an older front cover it is removed from the inside (newer ones install from the front and don't require removal of the front cover). When you reinstall the front cover, loosely install the bolts, install the balancer, and then tighten the front cover bolts in order and to proper torque specs. This allows the balancer to center the seal (even with the front cover dowel pins some movement can occur). Finally, make sure you use sealer on the bolts that go into water passages. Oh, and check your fan/serpentine belt for any cracks or glazing. Coolant can shorten the life. Good luck!