1938 Limited Water pump repair kits?

[DBT]

Hi

The waterpump seal is starting to leak now and today I am getting shrill whistle whenever the engine is running [i am assuming this is the pump as well]

So its time for a repair kit.

There are two on ebay right now. Some questions:

1. Is NOS the right way to go? Wouldn't all the rubbers be perished or will very quickly lose their sealing qualities?

2. There seem to be a few brands - any difference?

3. Putting ebay aside - where can I source a decent kit?

the links:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170159721417&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230181721776&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013

Thanks

David

[Mark Shaw]

You can't go wrong with kit #53 which includes a new shaft. The only issue would be how old it is. Rubber parts have a shelf life.

[jeff]

Careful!

First check to see which pump your engine has. My '38 Special has a later model replacement pump, no doubt put on in the 40's or 50's. I suspect many other '38s out there are also running with later service pumps.

The difference is easy to find. The orignal pumps have an oil fitting on the top of the housing, to periodically add oil to a wick that feeds the bearings. The newer ones have no such access, as they have the more modern sealed double bearings inside. The rebuild kits for '38 pumps will not service the newer water pumps - if you have a newer pump you will need a kit for a '50's vintage pump. The best thing to do if you have a newer one is to tear it down and get some dimensions from the shaft. There are only so many sizes out there.