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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Water pump stuck

Hi , bit of free time so thought I would tackle an easy job ! Taking my water pump off (1275) the head of one bolt sheared off flush with the water pump, thankfully the most accessible by the engine ID tag . All were tough to remove presumably corrosion between the steel bolt and ally pump. Best options please , I don’t have a blow torch , I have a stud extractor, I can sacrifice the pump. Thought about drilling it out of the pump but then how to get it out of the block ? Seasons greetings. PS . Tried hitting it from behind the alternator lug but no signs of movement.
Mike Fairclough

Clarification Mike.
Have you removed the other bolts, so the pump is only held by corrosion to the sheared bolt, plus the gasket joint?
Or have you now removed the pump and are left with the shank of the sheared bolt, still fixed into the block?
GuyW

Thanks Guy all sorted after a cuppa and mince pie to reflect . I did have all the other bolts out . I got a bar in the outlet and managed to get some movement then got a lever behind it and prised it off . The stud came out with the trusty two nuts locked together method .
Mike Fairclough

Mike, most people advise penetrating oil and heat but if tea and mince pies work for you thats good news, if somewhat novel! 😂
GuyW

I had a similar problem. Some of my bolts were totally rusted.

Ended up cutting one off with an angle grinder! Scary I know but it worked.

Couple of photos on my blog of the result of the carnage:

https://www.mgmidgetrestoration.com/2022/09/water-pump-fitting.html

Good luck
James Paul

For anyone young enough and planning on keeping their car more than a decade you might want to think about using ARP stainless bolts on the water pump and studs the thermostat housing.
Daniel

Never had a problem with this. I coat the studs in grease before I assemble. But if apart, yep might as well use s/s.
anamnesis

I find a cup of tea fixes most things Guy🤣 . I will look into s/s bolts good idea . I had the car over 30 yrs so it might be around in another 10 .
Mike Fairclough

Like Anam I rely on assembly grease. FWIW the best I've found is called TripleGuard. I've used it for years and years even on stuff that lives in salt water like bronze propellers on steel shafts.
I recommend it to the House.
A close second (also marine derived) is called Aqualube.
I don't really like Copperslip because it can set up a galvanic cell with dissimilar metals.
Greybeard

This thread was discussed between 21/12/2023 and 22/12/2023

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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