101jr

Removed the water pump on what I believe is. An F162 what is the hole in the top center was nothing in but rusty dirt when I took the pump off. Should there be something in it or will the gasket cover it when I install the new pump Thanks

I have had several of those Continental model F400 blocks (the block used for the 124, 140, and 162 cubic inch versions) in tractors I have worked on (MH 101 Juniors, MH20, Case V). I just looked at a photo during the restoration from the MH20. I would think that they all used the same water pump, at least the same bolt pattern for attachment.

All of those water passage openings and bolt/stud threaded holes appear like they do in your photo and the one you are asking about appears in the photo slightly smaller in diameter than the other ones. Is the hole you are referring to threaded or just a hole without threads? How deep does it go into the block? I don't think it could be involved in any way with the attachment of the water pump to the engine block.

I have a Continental engine manual here that shows the gasket between the pump and the block to have only 4 mounting holes in it. There is no opening in the gasket over that hole you are referring to so it appears as if it would be blocked off. In my photo though, I see that front hole you talk about lines up with a small vertical hole in the engine block's top surface (which you wouldn't see until you remove your cylinder head).

Also worth noting is that the gasket in the manual diagram shows the two water passage openings to be continuous (that is the gasket hole is larger and continuous, it surrounds both openings at the same time). One of those larger openings would be coolant out to the pump, the other would be coolant back to the block. I cannot remember how I cut my replacement gasket (I made my own), whether I had both openings separate or maybe cut a common one.

Email me at .......... [email protected] ............and I can try to scan this photo and the water pump illustration and email them to you.