Project "Chihuahua" '65 Formula S Restoration "Estilo Mexicano"

Went to a local car show on Sunday June 3rd. Was "awarded" a participation certificate for best "project car". Spouse pointed out a slight rattling noise with the engine idling which I, for some reason, decided to ignore. After the show, I noticed I could wiggle the cooling fan just a bit. I decided to order a water pump from Rock Auto (the Dayco brand pump arrived yesterday marked "Made in China").

The vehicle was factory equipped with A/C and when I removed the ten-year-old plus water pump, I realized it had the six blade, 3.5 inch diameter impeller (remember in a previous post I was worried about coolant temperature climbing when stopped in idle). After one initial test with the fabricated radiator shroud, it seemed the idle coolant was maintaining at 195 degrees, but I had wanted to test it further but did not have the opportunity.

I don't know if the installed water pump pulley (5 3/4" diameter) is proper for an A/C or non A/C vehicle? Anyway, Rock Auto sent an eight blade, 4 1/8 inch diameter impeller which will have to do for now. I am collecting, slowly but surely, factory A/C parts which some day I will get around to installing.

The fixed-blade, six-blade fan is 17" in diameter.

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