1970 55 hr Chrysler, How to instal wtr pump?

[jbrowning]

I have a Chrysler 55 horse motor that I got from my grandfather, he rarely used it and it has great compression for setting up for over 25 years. I am sure I need a water pump in it, I cleaned everything and got it to crank after putting some mystery oil in the cylinders, then I shut it down, just ran it for about 5 seconds.<br /><br />The Serial # is 1335 and the Model is 555 HC, if anyone could help me find where to break the lower unit apart to check out the water pump and what other things should be done to lube or gaskets to check on this motor. <br /><br />If it is too costly to get going some recomendations on places to sell the upper unit would be great.<br /><br />I am disabled and cannot fish anymore so I need to sell this and try to get a vehicle running. Thanks folks

 

[scotiany]

Re: 1970 55 hr Chrysler, How to instal wtr pump?

You probably just need to replace the water pump impeller. Did you start it up in a trash can filled with water? Did you get water out the back? Removing the LU is quite easy on that model(I have a '70 55hp too). Remove the motor leg cowlings. Loosen jam nut on linkage rod. Loosen and remove linkage connection nut(it's RH and LH threads). I would take a picture of this before doing anything and mark the nut with paint at the upper end. Remove the 4 nuts and bolts holding LU to motor leg and it should drop right off. You can then easily check the water pump. On reinstallation, make absolutely sure that the water pipe is secured at both the water pump and the power head. You shouldn't have to take the prop off however, it would be an ideal time to check the LU drive shaft seal and shift seal. NAPA has the seals.

 

[jbrowning]

Re: 1970 55 hr Chrysler, How to instal wtr pump?

I did not put it in any water, I just got it to hit and stopped, see my Uncle ran it in the gulf and did not flush it, so that is what they told me that the pump would have to be changed. Do you happed to have a digaram of this area, I am mechanically inclined, but not familar with the terms and parts?<br /><br />Can you tell me what this motor running with good compression is worth, or is it better to part it out, like some of the old Cub Cadet lawn tractors my father has from the late <br />60's to early 70s. The motor has great compression like it has hardly been used. I dont know what it should be but I got like 130 on each cylinder. It seems the head unit would be worth quite a bit to some one, I really dont know about this stuff, just dont want to spend a fortune on something that is not worth anything. Thanks for your help<br /><br /><br />

 

[eurolarva]

Re: 1970 55 hr Chrysler, How to instal wtr pump?

Vintage chryslers are not really in demand. If you had it running good chances are you would not get much more then 300 bucks for it. These motors are getting tough to find parts for. Interested parties will probably turn their heads when they find it was run in salt water. Your best bet is try and sell it locally and if that dont work try ebay.

 

[jbrowning]

Re: 1970 55 hr Chrysler, How to instal wtr pump?

Thanks for that, Hey I got the thing un bolted and it only sliped down about an inch. Is there something holding the shaft besides the shift link, I marked and disconnected it and unbolted the section above where the water inlet is and I cant get it to drop any further than an inch. Does the propeller have to come out, or is the shaft splinned? Any more insight would be great, thanks

 

[Docdoc]

Re: 1970 55 hr Chrysler, How to instal wtr pump?

Might need to apply a little more "persuasion" to get it to drop. Try using a could of wooden wedges by tapping them in.

 

[Docdoc]

Re: 1970 55 hr Chrysler, How to instal wtr pump?

That should be a "couple" of wooden wedges.

 

[bigdaddyofhouse]

Re: 1970 55 hr Chrysler, How to instal wtr pump?

you pulled the leg cover and unhooked the shift linkage, right?

 

[jbrowning]

Re: 1970 55 hr Chrysler, How to instal wtr pump?

Yea I un screwed the likage, looks like a turnbuckle nut long and I think I screwed off right handed or reverse to most nuts. it is loose, and the bottom came down enough to barely see inside, I wonder if I should put some type of lube like BP Blaster or WD 40 on the shaft and let it run down to the bottom, the wedges should help, I tapped on the housing but did not want to hit it hard since it would bust, the wedges sounds like a good Idea. Thanks Doc and Bigdaddy.

 

[jbrowning]

Re: 1970 55 hr Chrysler, How to instal wtr pump?

Hey guys, I can see the water pump housing but I broke two wooden wedges trying to get the bottom to seperate, any ideas. Does that shaft have splines like a transmission and if so can they be siezed up at the propeller shaft. How do you get the propeller out. I got it off but there is an aluiminum housing that covers the inside parts with 2 allen screws. I got them out but cannot budge the outside cover, I have the shaft going through the water pump soaking in some penetrating oil. Any other suggestions. Thanks

 

[scotiany]

Re: 1970 55 hr Chrysler, How to instal wtr pump?

Try removing the motor leg. There are either 6 or 8 bolts or allen heads holding it to the powerhead. You will have to disassemble the mount too.

 

[jasonbailey]

Re: 1970 55 hr Chrysler, How to instal wtr pump?

Did you get the bolt that is up under the exhaust port? It is hidden and it needs to come out for the L/U to drop.