Topic: Early production 66 water pump bolts

[6T7350]

I'm replacing the aftermarket water pump on an early (not carryover) 66 GT350 (6S379) with a correct C60E water pump. I have the AMK kit which has mostly conventional indented hex head style with lock washers. However, most all of the bolts I removed for the existing water pump are the castle style head. I have no idea if those are the original bolts that may have been reused previously or not. Just wanted to entertain that possibility with the experts. I think I've seen a period photo or two of 65 cast iron pump with castle style bolts. I realize this isn't Shelby specific, or that there may not be a definative answer. Just checking if any known trends. Were the castle style actually used for 65 cast iron pumps and carried into early 66 production, or random mix and match?  Or, better to assume they're supposed to be the conventional indented style with lock washers and just go with that?  Thanks for any inputs.

[Bob Gaines]

I'm replacing the aftermarket water pump on an early (not carryover) 66 GT350 (6S379) with a correct C60E water pump. I have the AMK kit which has mostly conventional indented hex head style with lock washers. However, most all of the bolts I removed for the existing water pump are the castle style head. I have no idea if those are the original bolts that may have been reused previously or not. Just wanted to entertain that possibility with the experts. I think I've seen a period photo or two of 65 cast iron pump with castle style bolts. I realize this isn't Shelby specific, or that there may not be a definative answer. Just checking if any known trends. Were the castle style actually used for 65 cast iron pumps and carried into early 66 production, or random mix and match?  Or, better to assume they're supposed to be the conventional indented style with lock washers and just go with that?  Thanks for any inputs.

I don't know about expert but the 65 aluminum pump uses more of the castle then the 65 up cast iron pump. The aluminum pump uses 1 long and two shorter lengths of the castle head bolts where as the cast iron late 65 and 66 used one long castle head bolt but no shorter ones that I remember. The bolt head makers marks changed over the production years. It is hard to make out the makers marks on painted bolts. FYI for concours the two water pump bolts reused to hold the alternator bracket will not have perfect paint as they were taken out and then reinstalled to mount the bracket.  That was because the bracket was not installed when the engine was painted. The AMK kit in this case is fairly reliable.

[jwc66k]

See if this forum link help.
https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=29764.msg180882#msg180882
Jim

[6T7350]

Thanks Bob, l believe that gives me comfort level to update per the AMK kit. I'll also keep in mind the painting/installation sequence.

Jim, thanks, looks like a lot of research. I'll keep that as reference.

[J_Speegle]

Couple of examples that appear to agree with one another. Both from around your cars production period

[6T7350]

Thanks Jeff for those great examples. They do appear to agree with each other as well as with the AMK kit. 

[jwc66k]

They do appear to agree with each other as well as with the AMK kit. 

In the past, many of the AMK bolts in the cast iron water pump kits did not have any head marking, they were "blank". All the original bolts should have a head and grade markings. I still have two AMK kits, F-304, that I bought just for a couple of bolts as I had most of the originals that I either phosphated or sent out to be zinc plated. Just a heads up.
Jim