06, 3.8 caravan

Looking at the water pump. On each of the 3 ears that the pulley mounts to there is a black pin/stud. What is the purpose of the pins/studs. Can it be misaligned somehow?

I don't know how i could put on the pulley incorrectly with 3 holes that go through the pulley and mate to the water pump. There is no way that the screws holding the pulley to the pump can be misaligned. they are exact fits.

 

There shouldn't any pins or studs on the ears of the water pump. You shoud just bolt the pulley to the pump.

 

Yes, ok, but my mopar water pump had a stud/pin/stake on each ear of the water pump. i have it in my hand right now. the pump says mopar on it #04781159ab
there is also another number on it: 53722 b-01

I looked on line and at advance auto the kmb water pump oem had the same stud/pin/stake on each ear?

So what are they for? The are located about 3/8 inch away from each of the holes on the ears.

 

Would assume it adds "rotational strength" to the pulley/pump joining surface. Takes the rotational stress off the bolts.

 

thanks for response. ok, i understand that especially if they would have the 3 pins would have been inserted into some sort of hole.

 

Pins keep the pulley centered while you put the bolts in.

 

tizzy thanks for your response.--thanks for letting me know purpose of pins.. after lighting storms ends, i will go out and see if the pump some how went over one of the pins when the pulley was bolted down.

i don't see it happening but could be.

i just picked up another pulley. i sure wish i could get the old pulley off and put the new one on to check if it is the pulley that is bent some how without removing the water pump from van. that would be great but don't believe i know of any way.

heard could wedge the motor over to the left a bit for it to slide off. but don't want to brake things. did you ever use black rtv on the pump's seal while putting it on. i only have that. could use vasoline maybe.

 

I have gotten the pulley over the pins so I know it can happen. I don't think you can push the engine over far enough to get the pulley off seperate. I never use RTV on the pump seal. Have had to do multiple pumps on the same vehicle and cleaning that off is a pain. That's what I use is Vasoline, put some in the groove and push the seal in.

 

thanks for response. just got back under engine--pins are aligned correctly--too bad, easy fix if that was problem. i put my new pump on previous used mopar water pump to spin it and check for wobble. i couldn't put in vice though to spin because fins or pulley would settle against the vice and not allow a spin.