Engine: 66 Clearance issues

[Warren Webb]

My 66 Cruiser has some issues that I want to address before putting it back on the road. First is the crankshaft pulley hitting the power steering ram & the second is how close the fuel pump is to the frame crossmember. Hopefully the pictures will attach since it's my first time trying this!

[Warren Webb]

In the second piture if you look close you can see the groove the crank pulley has put in the tie rod of the power steering ram. I have not yet replaced the motor mounts but it has been suggested that maybe by moving the frame to mount bracket "up" to the next series of holes that it would give me the clearance I need. Suggestions????

[StudeDave57]

I have two suggestions for you--

• get new motor mounts
• get rid of that junk pump

Doing so ought to be half of your battle...

[Warren Webb]

The fuel pump appears to be the original being it has AC cast in it. I bought new motor mounts but hesitate trying to put them in first because they look like they are a son of a gun to install! When I get this done my next problem is to figure how the power steering pump adjusts so I can put on new belts!! Whew!!!!!

[StudeDave57]

The fuel pump appears to be the original being it has AC cast in it. I bought new motor mounts but hesitate trying to put them in first because they look like they are a son of a gun to install! When I get this done my next problem is to figure how the power steering pump adjusts so I can put on new belts!! Whew!!!!!

That pump looks NOTHING like the NOS one on my '65.
It looks more like the POS ones I had been using before I found the one on the car now.

Yes- I agree about changing the mounts. The first time I had someone else do it- no way was I up for that back in '91!!! The second time they were done- the engine was out of the car- easy as pie. It's almost time to do them again...

The pump adjusts using those bolts that hold it to the bracket.
It's not too hard to do if I have done it.



StudeDave '57

[StudeRich]

Warren, your first clue should be that "crimped' Diaphragm bowl, the originals have screwed together upper and lower Bowls and different fitting clocking to clear the crossmember.

[Warren Webb]

Thanks Dave & Rich. Would you have a picture of the correct fuel pump? I'd want to replace it now before I put the grille assy back on-easier access.

[StudeDave57]

I do now...

Thanks Dave & Rich. Would you have a picture of the correct fuel pump?

I just snapped about 6 or 8 of them- all for you!!! I tried to get a few of the pump installed on my car, but it's not too easy as you know. So I grabbed one of the NOS pumps I have on the shelf and snapped some pics of that one for ya...

I can't do much with those pics until I get back to the house though, sorry.
I will post them later tonight.


StudeDave '57

[StudeDave57]

I will post them later tonight.

To add a bit to the story as I know it- sometime before I left San Diego two years ago, I killed about three birds with one stone. Sweet Pea's radiator needed some repairs~ so I pulled it out- changing her water pump and hoses while I was at it. I also thought- hey- why not tidy things up a bit and change that leaky fuel pump while I'm at it? That very same month- SASCO had the pumps on sale, so I bought a couple of them. Turns out I did the right thing buying the ones I got. We now have no less then SIX 1965 and 1966 Studes in the Family!!!

Anyway- here's a teaser of the pics~


the rest can be found here~

http://s175.photobucket.com/albums/w...20fuel%20pump/

enjoy!!! I hope they work for you.


StudeDave '57

[Warren Webb]

Thanks Dave & Rich for the advise and especially for the pictures!! Temps here have been real nice so maybe tomorrow I'l work on the motor mounts. I got a pair of polyurethane mounts from the local speed shop already. I've had the engine running already (although I dont know if the fuel pump thats on it is good or not), so between these clearance issues and replacing the front wire harness this car should be a driver. Thanks again!

[dynolou2]

Warren, you can take your old pump to the parts store, have them get the pictured catalog out and compare, thats what I did on my 85 Avanti. A full size blazer V-8 should be it. Lou Cote

[dynolou2]

Dave, hate to rain on your parade BUT, the NOS fuel pump diaphrams are not conpatable with todays ethanol fuel blends. So the NOS ones will need a diaphram kit that is made for todays fuel. Lou Cote

[StudeDave57]

that's odd...

Dave, hate to rain on your parade BUT, the NOS fuel pump diaphrams are not conpatable with todays ethanol fuel blends. So the NOS ones will need a diaphram kit that is made for todays fuel.

Tell that to the fuel pump.
It's been on the car for well over four years now- and I've had ZERO issues...

In fact- I have NEVER had any issues with carbs, pumps and the like due to fuel.
Pumps bouncing off of the frame, well- that's another story.

[Warren Webb]

Well, the new motor mounts are in but little if any room has been gained from the crank pulley to the power steering ram end. What a job! Might have been a little easier if I had a lift but being I had to shift the engine forward after jacking it up it's probably better I did it on the ground with a cherry picker hoisting the engine. Now to figure out how the power steering pump pivots so I can install new belts. If Studebaker had stayed around longer positioning the power steering pump higher would have been an improvement. The later heads found on Chevy's had bolt holes in the head where they put the pump in later years. I see 2 bolts holding the bracket to the block & another 2 going to the exhaust manifold but nowhere is it slotted for adjustment. No mention in the service manual either. Anyone else have this setup on a V-8 65 or 66?

[r1lark]

Warren,

Did this Cruiser originally have power steering, or was it added to the car.......or was the bellcrank replaced at some point? Reason I'm asking is that the Studebaker-engined Larks used power steering bellcrank p/n 1547288, while the '65/'66 cars used power steering bellcrank p/n 1563499. Perhaps the bellcrank had to be modified to give more clearance between the ram rod end and the Chevy engine pulley, thus the different part number?

I don't know what the difference is between the two p/n bellcranks, but it might be a possibility.