71 water pump on 72 clutch fan?

[Zak's Z]

I was fortunate enough to meet up with another member BEEZEE, who had a great oil pan and oil pump for me. I also got a '71 water pump because my fan clutch appears slightly bent.

When I removed the '72 water pump, it is slightly different from the early one. The early one has bolts threaded into it already, and the front is slightly different. The '72 fan clutch fits on it and looks ok, but I'm wondering if anyone has an opinion on using the early water pump with a later fan clutch.

I'd like to keep the early pump I got because its in great shape.

Thanks again, beezee.

Zak

[JimmyZ]

I'm pretty sure the L series motors all used the same pump. (Could be wrong) There may be some minor differences in aftermarket vs oem as far as appearance goes.

Maybe the "thread in" pump is missing the metric studs??

The fans on early cars really sucked. I stopped using the heavy all metal horsepower robbing thing and went for the later plastic fan. It would be good to compare the distance that the old fan/clutch combo rides from the radiator. I used a fan clutch from another model which was too close to the radiator and chewed it when I stomped the gas too hard. This was a one time expensive lesson.

2c

Jim

[Zak's Z]

Ya, I bet it was! Thanks for the info. It's not just missing the threads, its got a different cap to it. The plastic fan w fan clutch fits on, so I guess it's all good then.

Thanks for the info.

[sblake01]

I used a fan clutch from another model which was too close to the radiator and chewed it when I stomped the gas too hard. This was a one time expensive lesson.

Ah yes. The old 'S130/810/Maxima fan on an S30' trick. So you're a member of that club too?

[JimmyZ]

Oh yeah! You too! Glad to hear I'm not the only club member!

A few years ago I owned an '84 Nissan pickup which needed a new water pump. I thought it would be the same as the Z pump but was wrong. Sure, it's the same pump (from the back) but the pickup pump has the fan clutch integral with the pump's shaft.

Of course the pump/clutch combo was more expensive.

In my memory it was a much lower profile part than the Z WP/clutch combo. Having the fan closer to the pump's bearings may result in a longer life for the pump. IMO the Z/L-series pumps are too short lived.

2c

Jim