Water pump problem

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Danval
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Dec 21, 2013 7:01 pm

Water pump problem

Post by Danval »

I bought a water pump for my 1979 530i. The pump is identical to the old one except for the pulley flange. The old pump has a "square" bolt pattern (to bolt on the pulley) and the center hub or nose is smaller in diameter. The new pump has a "rectangular" bolt pattern and bigger center circumference. The pulley will not seat all the way down on the flange, plus you can't bolt it down because of the different bolt pattern. Is there another pulley that I need to get or what is the deal? I'm comfused

I'll post a picture of the old water pump and pulley.

Image[/img]
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Mike W.
Posts: 2889
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:12 am
Location: Sonoma County

Post by Mike W. »

You got sold a water pump for a 80+ car, they used a different fan clutch which used different parts attached to them. The 79/80 changeover date isn't perfect, lots of E23s seemed to use the early style in later years, but I don't think any 79s came with the late fan clutch/water pump.
Mike W.



02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
Danval
Posts: 87
Joined: Sat Dec 21, 2013 7:01 pm

Post by Danval »

Mike W. wrote:You got sold a water pump for a 80+ car, they used a different fan clutch which used different parts attached to them. The 79/80 changeover date isn't perfect, lots of E23s seemed to use the early style in later years, but I don't think any 79s came with the late fan clutch/water pump.
so can I get a later model pulley and call it a day?
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Mike W.
Posts: 2889
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:12 am
Location: Sonoma County

Post by Mike W. »

Danval wrote:
Mike W. wrote:You got sold a water pump for a 80+ car, they used a different fan clutch which used different parts attached to them. The 79/80 changeover date isn't perfect, lots of E23s seemed to use the early style in later years, but I don't think any 79s came with the late fan clutch/water pump.
so can I get a later model pulley and call it a day?
No, you would also need a later type fan clutch, which is much cheaper but not as long lived as the original type.
Mike W.



02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
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JodyStevens
Posts: 347
Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 9:58 am
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada

Post by JodyStevens »

I got an early style water pump from FCPEuro.com
'78 Euro 528i Rubinrot Metallic. Who else has this color?
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Mike W.
Posts: 2889
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:12 am
Location: Sonoma County

Post by Mike W. »

They're out there, you just have to be careful. You want the one with the flat nose, not the raised threaded nose. Or reference a bolt on clutch, not screw on.

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/produc ... ter%20Pump
Mike W.



02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
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