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Old 02-21-2026, 10:35 AM   #1
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

Exactly what Water Pumps are needed when installing a 59A engine into a '32 chassis? The chassis has the stock V8 front crossmember with plans to use the original type '32 V8 front motor mounts (-if that matters). Also, wanting to use stock style Generator with Fan mounted on the Pulleys.

Also, does anyone offer reproductions of the needed Water Pumps, and can someone provide a vendor's web link to them?

TIA
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Old 02-21-2026, 05:31 PM   #2
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

You can just use 39-48 pumps, and leave the mounting feet hanging in mid air. Or cut them off and grind the side smooth.
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Old 02-21-2026, 05:35 PM   #3
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

I guess all flatheads have the tapped mounting holes for the '32 mounts. The last '51 Merc I tore down did.
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Old 02-22-2026, 12:01 AM   #4
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

I guess all flatheads have the tapped mounting holes for the '32 mounts. The last '51 Merc I tore down did.


yes! isn't it great...everyone talks about old Henry being frugal, but he made his engines so as they would fit into any chassis. The only reason those holes are drilled and tapped for 32 engine mounts in all subsequent engines, is to allow the bolting on of 32 mounts. They serve no other purpose!
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Old 02-22-2026, 12:02 AM   #5
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

Bent just use the common 37-48 Pumps and cut off the mounting ears for aesthetic appearance. Every vendor sells decent pumps. The 1932 "L" shaped mounts are available NEW as well. Bob Drake sells a radiator hose set to make the conversion work
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Old 02-22-2026, 01:08 AM   #6
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

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You might have to modify the crank pulley also.The mounts probably will have to be relieved on the web a bit to clear the fab belt ,commonly done back in the day.Here is a pic .
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Last edited by deuce lover; 02-22-2026 at 01:40 AM.
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Old 02-22-2026, 01:12 AM   #7
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

I thought I read someplace that those tapped holes were used in the manufacturing process until the end of the flatheads. Brackets were bolted to them to allow the freshly cast blocks to be moved around the factory for the various machining processes. I seem to remember seeing pictures of blocks moving around the plant, hanging vertically from an overhead trolley system.
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Old 02-22-2026, 01:35 AM   #8
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

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Originally Posted by deuce lover View Post
You might have to modify the crank pulley also.The mounts probably will have to be relieved on the web a bit to clear the fab belt ,commonly done back in the day.Here is a pic .
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Old 02-22-2026, 02:13 AM   #9
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

Yeah tubman, now you mention it, I too recall seeing that photo...so, those drilled and tapped holes had more than one purpose!
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Old 02-22-2026, 06:01 AM   #10
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

I ran 59A water pumps in a '32. I went ahead and cut the mounting arms off of the 59A pumps since I wouldn't be using them. The belt runs pretty close to one of the '32 mounts. I had several sets of original '32 engine mounts and one of them had been ground away so the belt wouldn't rub. Just one side needs this done, one side clears fine and one side does not. Then I had to find a hose with a quick offset in a short distance to fit the radiator. I went to the parts store and went through all their hoses to find ones with a tight enough bend that wood fit. Then the tops of engine mounts bolts were hitting the bottom of the hoses. I had to flip them upside down so the threaded side with the nut was facing the bottom side. I had a beautiful original frame, and I didn't want to weld or drill holes in it.
Was this the way to go, I'm still not sure. It's a little mickey mouse; I honestly think the 59A water pump mounts are a better way to go. If anybody does use 59A arms do not mount them flush with the tops of the frame rail. They need mount a little lower to be correct, it's not much, but I can't remember how much they need to be lower than the top of the frame rail, maybe a 1/2" but I'm not sure. I've had a stroke and I've lost some of my stored-up info. If they are mounted too high the back of the intake will hit the firewall. If you're lucky enough to have a pair of '32 mounts you can bolt the engine in using the '32 mounts and then bolt the 59A pumps on, then you can tell exactly where to weld the motor mounts to the side rails.

I bought an unfinished '32 3W. The guy had a flathead with 59A pump mounts welded flush with the top of the frame rail. Then the firewall hit the intake manifold. He had the firewall marked where he was going to have to cut it out because it was rubbing. Luckly, he hadn't cut it yet. A flathead fit from the factory without hitting the firewall!

You guys mentioned the tapped holes being in all of the flatheads for the original '32 mounts, '32 to '53. I have about twenty blocks out in the garage and there is one that never had the '32 mount holes drilled in it. I though they all had them until I found that one.

Last edited by Flathead Fever; 02-22-2026 at 06:45 AM.
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Old 02-22-2026, 08:59 AM   #11
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

I trimming and polished to remove the mounting ears. 59A block had tapped holes that worked fine with the 32 brackets. I did trim the inside a bit to allow for adequate fan belt clearancee.









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Old 02-22-2026, 10:25 AM   #12
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

Glenn is showing exactly what you should do -> Trim the mounts off the 37-48 pumps and also clearance the stock 32 motor mounts for belt clearance.
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Old 02-22-2026, 11:45 AM   #13
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

Just the way God intended, now just get rid of the convoluted plastic wire loom and your all set.��
Tom
P.S. I don't know what happened to the smiley face that I posted.��
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Old 02-23-2026, 11:08 AM   #14
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

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Yeah tubman, now you mention it, I too recall seeing that photo...so, those drilled and tapped holes had more than one purpose!
I think this is the picture mentioned…….Mark
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Old 02-23-2026, 12:11 PM   #15
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

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I think this is the picture mentioned…….Mark
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Old 02-23-2026, 02:22 PM   #16
tubman
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

Looks to me like those brackets are bolted to the holes in question.
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Old 02-23-2026, 03:37 PM   #17
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

We could figure it out from the picture, but that's a lot of weight hanging from that conveyor system.

Anyone know why some of the bell housings have windows cut into them?
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Old 02-23-2026, 04:24 PM   #18
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

I think those are the special fixtures Ford used to hook them up to electric motors for initial break-in.
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Old 02-24-2026, 07:34 AM   #19
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Default Re: What Water Pumps fpr 59A engine in 1932

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I think those are the special fixtures Ford used to hook them up to electric motors for initial break-in.
I would guess you’re right…..the end (bottom in picture) looks very different than a regular bell housing……definitely a lot of weight on that conveyor……Mark
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