Water pump install

Turbosuzuki · Oct 27, 2016

Hey guys just about finished with installing a water pump on my 7.3. I also had to install a new radiator. Wasn't a bad job even for me not knowing anything about it just looked at similar topics and a couple youtube vids. Everything looks good no leaks so I'm happy

I'm flushing the system sorta I have distilled water in now gonna drain it out then fill with fluid and water. I put a new pump new oem radiator new thermostat new thermostat housing new hoses cap and degas bottle. I started the truck to check for leaks put heater on high and I didn't install the thermostat so it would circulate the water but it wouldnt build heat.

I ran the truck for about 10 minutes in driveway and even drove it several miles, the temp Guage barely moved. If figured it would take awhile and didn't want to run it long like that but it just wouldn't warm up. Anyway I feel good it made me feel good to do it myself.

Turbosuzuki · Oct 27, 2016

Usually the temp Guage runs about halfway, lol.

78f100 · Oct 27, 2016

Congrats on doing it yourself, no better way to learn than just try. 7.3s take forever to warm up without a tstat, you would have to drive miles to get 180 even.

Turbosuzuki · Oct 27, 2016

78f100 said:
Congrats on doing it yourself, no better way to learn than just try. 7.3s take forever to warm up without a tstat, you would have to drive miles to get 180 even.

Thanks and you aren't kidding I drove several miles @55 and it ran maybe 45 minutes total and the temp Guage didn't hardly move.

Swaan · Oct 27, 2016

It wont get warm if you have no thermostat.
Put the thermo back in.

TyCorr · Oct 27, 2016

Its fine to run it like that for the first flush but it will build no heat. As these gentlemen have stated if you need heat, tstat back in and problem solved.

Turbosuzuki · Oct 27, 2016

Thanks for the replys guys I just ran it without to flush the system is all. I have a brand new thermostat to put in it. I figured it would just take a little time to warm up but you guys are correct it isn't gonna get warm at all. Only problem is I drained what I thought was everything, but I put 4 1/2 gallons of water and it's full. I waited for it to drop but didn't it's to the full mark and hasn't dropped would the engine hold that much fluid?

79jasper · Oct 28, 2016

They'll hold a bit if you don't pull the block drains.
Without the thermostat I'm not sure if you could have a air bubble.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

Swaan · Oct 28, 2016

Theres a drain plug on both sides of block.
If you dont pull thses the block holds an extra gallon coolant.

Also every time ive done coolant flush the level will go down half gallon after the first time the thermo opens.
Always seems the system has to burp once to get all the air out.. i just drive it and top it up the next morning

Turbosuzuki · Oct 28, 2016

Ok, I thought these systems held about 8 gallons total. After everything was installed it only took 4 1/2 gallons total to fill it up. Today I'm gonna empty the water in it and install the new thermostat and I guess just add the coolant seeing I have water trapped I can't get out. Maybe I read wrong it might have been 2 gallons water and 2 coolant not 4 and 4 like I thought.

I will finish it up today and post the results.

Flounder_Pounder · Oct 28, 2016

Make sure to take out plugs on the side of the block, If not your leaving a lot coolant in the block.

Swaan · Oct 28, 2016

If i remember right the system holds about 5 -6 gallons total if everything was drained.
Id just use the 50/50 premixed elc coolant.

Flounder_Pounder · Oct 28, 2016

It holds 8

Turbosuzuki · Oct 28, 2016

Well guys let me start by saying I'm f**king pissed!!!!! Pulling the thermostat housing off the back bolt fell and I can't find it. I could put my stupid no good fat head through a wall! Not knowing where the bolt went and I have searched trust me I don't have a choice to pull everything back apart to make sure it didn't fall into the pump! I have a splitting headache now and I had to walk away from that f n piece of sh*t.

Sorry to rant but it took everything I had to do that job, my health isn't great plus I'm north of 400lbs it's not easy for me to crawl around that truck. Last thing I had to do, this is disheartening to say the least. I don't know if I have it in me to do it all over.

6.0 Tech · Oct 28, 2016

Get a long magnet and fish behind the pump. They like to get held up on the block there. Also, check the ground, especially arond the tires. It can be a pain in the ass to find boltss that rolled up against the tread of the tire.

Swaan · Oct 28, 2016

So what. A bolt fell . Nothing really to hurt down there.
If you cant find it just sourse another bolt and carry on.

I wouldnt go rippin it all down for that.
Its probley sitting on the inside lip of the frame rail or something.

Flounder_Pounder · Oct 28, 2016

Swaan said:
So what. A bolt fell . Nothing really to hurt down there.
If you cant find it just sourse another bolt and carry on.

I wouldnt go rippin it all down for that.
Its probley sitting on the inside lip of the frame rail or something.

Ditto

Turbosuzuki · Oct 28, 2016

Thanks guys I'm gonna try to find it with a magnet. It may have fallen into the water pump though . The thermostat housing had 3 bolts the one on the back side by the block fell. I cant find it on the ground or by the block. As I was lifting the housing off it fell and there is a chance it fell into where the thermostat would sit is what has my worried.

Turbosuzuki · Oct 29, 2016

OK I have a magnet and I found it, the bolt fell into the water pump. Got it out and installed the thermostat but it leaked. I took it apart 3 times. I have several gaskets, I bought the billet housing and it had a gasket plus the thermostat came with one. I tightened it good and also changed the gaskets.

Are the gaskets supposed to be stacked? I drove the truck to warm it up but don't believe the thermostat has opened. I have a Lazer temperature gun but the oil pan was the hottest spot 165 degrees. I don't have gauges but my stock temp guage read normal. I drove around town and it barely leaks almost looks like it might have stopped .

I don't know if I will take it apart again the bolts are tight I mean ready to snap tight. I guess I have to drive further and longer to get it hotter. Everything else seems good happy to have it together.

Thanks to everyone that has replied it has helped me alot.