Oil Pump Rebuild Kit

[Vintrader]

In trying to stop some minor fluid leaks on the 1950 B2B I just bought I need new gaskets for the oil pump. I called Vintage Power Wagons and was informed the only way they had these gaskets where in a Oil Pump Repair Kit. $20 I ordered it, came right on time in box dated (packed 1952) I thought great NOS parts, we should go ahead and rebuild the pump while we have it off. Well (NO WAY JOSE) the keyway at the bottom of the shaft looked like it was made by hand with a file? And no where close to the center of the shaft. So we just put the old pump back on with the new gaskets, no leaks, all is well. I got what I really needed even though the gaskets alone should have been under $10 bucks. I also paid $23 in shipping most due to the weight of this kit. Where am I getting with all this you might ask? Well I just got off the phone with VPW telling them upfront I was not complaining or upset because the gaskets where all I needed to begin with but wondered if because of the unusable condition of the shaft and the extra weight I paid for in shipping would they offer to adjust my order. No offer was made and I was told that they don't normally sell those kits as they are just old parts kicking around and that I should have just bought a new pump. I wasn't upset then, but the more I think about it the more pissed I get. Those of us who have this vehicles are the reason these folks are in business and they just seem to act as if we need them more than they need us. Sorry to rant, I hope others have something to say on this subject.

OLD and GROUCHY

Dutch

[MBF]

Right on Dutch. I called them about gears for the rear of my '52. Their attitude of take it or leave it left me only one option- C YA! Bought a good used 3rd member in a junkyard for 20% of the price that they wanted just for a bearing set. Since the flatties were in use up to 59 or 60 I bet NAPA could help with the pump. I've started making my own gaskets whenever I can. I find that its less aggravating than waiting for the parts guy to try to figger out what I'm looking for because it isn't in their computer. Just put a $300 waterpump on my Dad's Ford diesel tractor. When I ordered it I told them I wanted to order a gasket-they told me not to worry-it came with the pump. Got the pump UPS'd, and guess what-another opportunity to practice my gasket making skills!

Little off topic-go back to the conversation we had at Macungie-I bought me a banjo! Old trucks, acoustic music-life doesn't get better than that. Mike

[Don Coatney]

The oil pump you got was a Military Surplus pump. They intentionally offset the distributor slot so a mechanic in a war zone field could only install the distributor one way. Did VPW tell you it was surplus up front?

New oil pumps are still available for our flathead engines from any good parts vendor. No need to go to an antique car vendor for any engine parts as they all jack the price up.