61 water pump

[Mike T.]

Has anyone used a bag of play sand between the oil pan and a 2X6 to raise the engine when they replaced a water pump?

[Mike E.]

Mike,
That would be entirely too practical!!
Sounds like a good idea. I have used 8 layers of cardboard on a 2x6.

[Mike T.]

Thank you Mike!
i’m gonna give it a shot this week.
I’ll let you know how it works.

[Leif A.]

From the late John Hinckley RIP:
"I use a highly-sophisticated and costly saddle made from a 2x6 base and 1x6 sides to jack up the engine; the top of the 1x6 side pieces raises the engine on the pan rails instead of denting the bottom of the oil pan.

It's also a lot easier to install the water pump and mount bracket if you use two 3/8"-16 threaded studs, one in the top hole on each side, to "hang" the sandwich of gasket/bracket/gasket/water pump on; then install the bottom two bolts and replace the studs with the upper two bolts. Once that's done you can set it down on the mounts on the end of the bracket and button it up."
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[Rick G.]

I have used the method Leif describes above with the addition I use a hack saw and cut a slot in the end of the studs. It makes it much easier to remove the studs utilizing a small screw driver.