How to Install a Water Pump in a 383

The Chrysler Corp. 383-cubic-inch "RB" engine was produced from 1959 until 1972. The engine was found in all of the larger Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth cars and trucks. There was even a 383 Dodge Dart GTS. The 383 was made famous with the 383 "Super Bee" cars that featured a high-performance 383 with a four-barrel carburetor. The 383 is more common than its big brother, the 440 V-8. Many external parts, such as cylinder heads are interchangeable. The 383's front-mounted water pump is held on by four bolts and is one of the easier water pumps to remove.

• 1

  Park your vehicle on level pavement and set the parking brake.

• 2

  Place a drain pan under the lower radiator hose. Use a flat screwdriver to loosen the clamp on the lower radiator hose where it attaches to the radiator and remove the hose from the radiator. Allow the coolant to drain into the pan. Loosen the clamp on the lower hose at the water pump and remove the hose from the water pump.

• 3

  Remove the bolts from the fan shroud, if there is one, with a ratchet and socket. Set the shroud aside.

• 4

  Remove the four bolts that hold on the fan blade. Remove the fan, fan spacer and water pump pulley. Some models may have a fan and clutch assembly without a spacer. Removal is the same.

• 5

  Loosen the alternator bolts with ratchet and socket and pivot the alternator to loosen the pressure on the fan belt. If you have other belts, such as an air-conditioning or power-steering belt, loosen that accessory and pivot it to loosen its belt. Remove the belt or belts.

• 6

  Use a ratchet and socket to remove the four bolts hat hold the water pump to the engine block. If there are any brackets attached to the pump, simply pivot them away from the bolt hole. Remove the water pump.

• 7

  Remove any gasket material that may be stuck on the engine block with a putty knife. Wipe the area with a shop rag.

• 8

  Apply gasket sealer to one side of each water-pump gasket. Press the gaskets onto the new water pump. Apply sealer to the exposed side of the gasket. Hold the pump against the engine block, reposition any brackets and install the bolts. Tighten to 30 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

• 9

  Place the water-pump pulley on the water-pump flange, lining up the holes in the pulley with the holes in the flange. Install the fan spacer and fan, or fan and clutch assembly. Install the bolts and tighten.

• 10

  Install the belts back on the pulleys. Pull on the alternator or accessory you loosened to apply tension to the belt. you may need to use the flat screwdriver to pry on the accessory to apply tension. Hold the tension while you tighten the bolts. After you tighten the belt, push down on the belt at a point between the accessory pulley and the water pump pulley. The belt should move down about 1/2-inch.

• 11

  Install the lower radiator hose onto the water pump and radiator. Tighten the clamps. Refill with coolant. If your coolant is still clean, you can reuse it.