Info needed: Ford V8 water pump rebuild kits

[Mike Gurr]

Hi Tom,
I went through the same issues with my pumps. I am currently running with new single pulley pumps. However having heard of the Jeep pump idea I bought a pair of rebuild kits which are currently with my old pumps at a specialist who will be trying to make the conversion. I will update you when / if I get them back.

[Tom Millward]

Thanks Petr & Mike, does the single pulley version line up ok with the crank pulley and Dynamo pulley? Do you know if the pulleys can be swapped out, or is the shaft a different length?

Where did you get your new pumps from?

[Mike Gurr]

Tom,
Yes the single pulley does line up, the ones I got came from Royal customs in Poole www.royalkustoms.com They work out around £100 each inc the VAT which compares well with rebuild costs even if they are not 'original'. They do at least get you up and running reliably while we try to find the best answer for rebuilding the originals.

[Lynn Eades]

I bought Ford parts from a guy who was working for someone else. That business closed down. James has now set up his own business.
His name is James Saccoccio <sales@gothamautoparts.com> James can supply all the parts for around US$38.00 per pump. (37 to 48 double sheave with bearing cartridge)
He will do his best to keep the post prices down. I believe James is near or in New York. I have found him very helpful.

[Maurice Donckers]

I put jeep water pump bearings in my Ford pumps.

[Lynn Eades]

Hi Maurice, what brand and bearing number are they please?

[Tony Smith]

There is also a recent parallel discussion going on in THIS THREAD, perhaps the two could be merged?

[Mike Gurr]

I have been in touch with James Saccoccio at Gotham Auto Parts who, as Lynn says is very helpful. His reply to my enquiry is as below. I have ordered a pair of kits and I will update the forum when I have received and fitted them.

Mike

Hello, and thanks for contacting me. You came to the right place!

The parts available today, specifically the seal assembly, is the style shown as the “optional” version in the illustration below. This simplifies the number of parts you will need to complete these pumps.

A complete kit will include the impeller, which I would recommend you replace, especially if you feel these pumps may have been disassembled at some stage in their life. The center hole of the impellers will become enlarged after being pressed on and off of the bearings shafts and may now create a poor kit when a new bearings is installed.

Complete kits are $44.95 each. Each kit includes:

(1) 8530 Sealed bearings and shaft
(1) 8512 Impeller
(1) 8551 Seal
(1) 8557 Carbon Cross Thrust washer
(1) 8574 Snap Ring
(1) Water pump to block gasket

Flathead_Engine_waterpmps1937-46.jpg

[Mike Gurr]

An update on my experiences to date. I bought a Jeep pump repair kit and while the bearing is the same size the end of the shaft which passes through the various seals into the impeller is larger than the Ford one so would need grinding down to fit or the impeller boring out, in either case the carbon disc, rubber seal and circlip are not the same as the Ford parts and do not fit. I then bought 2 repair kits from Gotham Auto parts being the correct truck pump repair kit shown on the pic below. My pump bodies needed the inside refacing as they were scored where the carbon disc seals against the casting so it all went to an engineering shop near me who specialises in vintage car water pumps, steering boxes etc. Unfortunately they have come back to me saying that the kit is good for all parts except the rubber bellows (Part 8551). This is poor and even when compressed does not seal around the shaft. I have emailed James at Gotham Auto parts but so far no reply, I guess they are not working at the moment. Unless anyone has a source for this part separately I am at a temporary halt. Any more info and I will update.