Water pump change, I got bored

[Rodney Bullock]

Well, the wife and daughter had a date for lunch with other in-laws so I was left at home alone:eek: That can't be good. I got a thought in my mind that my power steering pump was bad. The car (55 Chevy) made this noise when it's started and running. I thought it was in fact the pump. I know how to test it so I removed the belt anf started it. The noise was worse. This tells me that the water pump was bad. The bearings were shot.

I kept looking at it and the next thing I knew I had the pump off and on the ground. It's been some years since I put that pump on january 10-2003 so I guess it's time. Funny because the plymouth pump has been on the car since 10-23-2000 I guess I don't drive the plymouth that much.

It was either play the music loud and cut up or do somethiong constructive;) I did neither I worked on the car. Hey driving season is over...right

I think the reason folks like Chevy is because the parts are simple, it takes a long pump with 5 bolts. that goodness I did not put the air in yet as it woyuld have been a nightmare how long should a pump work? what an you do to prolong it's life?

[DJ194950]

in the early 70's i worked at a equipment rental co. we had lots of rought terrain forklift with chrysler flatheads. when ever a water pump was replaced standard procedure per the owner was to flush block and radiator.after pump replaced added 50-50 water and antifreeze. but always added bars-leak and about 12-16 0z. of water soluable oil (to lubricate the pump according to owner).

what is soluable oil? where would get it now? i sure don't know since i have never done this to my cars. bars leak every time?? preventive maintainence i guess!!!

good in a chevy???

try brand new instead of rebuilt.

could be worse, try changing pumps on any thing 90's and on. days work rather than an hour.

enjoy.

dj194950

50 plymouth stocker

in progress

[Don Coatney]

always added bars-leak and about 12-16 0z. of water soluable oil (to lubricate the pump according to owner).

what is soluable oil?

For information on water soluable oil follow this link.

http://www.pinnacleresourcesoil.com/product-info-sheets/pdfs/Water_Soluble_Oil.pdf

[thrashingcows]

I've been using water wetter as my additive for many many years....I can't remember the last water pump I've had to change....probably before I started using this additive. It helps with cooling and also lubricates the pump and helps cut down on corrosion.

[Rodney Bullock]

I was in the auto parts store this morning looking for a lubricant for the water puimp they used to sell it. It looks like a radiator. I remember my father getting it many years ago. The guy said he remembered it however had no seen it for a while. I went to aniother store and they had it. tHE COMPANY IS CALL PRESTONE. I am trying to remember why my dad used it. I think it was when he would hear a certain noise he would get it. he had a Ford you know:rolleyes:

[Niel Hoback]

OK, I can't remain quiet any longer. If you can lubricate your water pump by pouring a liquid into the radiator, you have no seals and coolant is running out the weep hole on the bottom of the water pump.

Water pump bearings do not run submerged in coolant. Water pump bearings are sealed bearings completely separate and free of coolant. I cannot imagine what you could be lubricating with coolant. If you are trying to lubricate the seals, plain water will do that.

The only water pump lube that is functional is grease, and since we've gone to sealed bearings and a lack of a grease fitting on later cars, even that is getting hard to find.

Please excuse my tone, but this is a pet peeve of mine. I don't like sounding harsh, but this is pretty obvious.

[Rodney Bullock]

The impeller on the pump, wouldn't that need something to keep it from rusting? I have seen it first hand how the impeller in my studebaker rusted and wore itself down to a spocket of numbs. It nolonger moved water. I replaced it with a heavy duty type. I compared the two and it was a big difference. I guess your right if the pump has roller bearings it cannot be lubed however that is a modern technic put to an old part like the wheel bearings we use now or the roller bearings in generators. I could be wrong:confused: so again I ask the question how do we prolong the life of a water pump?

[Niel Hoback]

Rust inhibtors are included in all types of anti-freeze, use it year round.

The best thing I have found to make your water pump last a long time is to buy a spare and carry it with you. That'll make the original last forever!

[RobertKB]

The best thing I have found to make your water pump last a long time is to buy a spare and carry it with you. That'll make the original last forever!

Ain't that the truth. I seems to work for just about any part that needs replacing as well.

[P-12 Tommy]

Not saying that you did this, but the only suggestion that I have is to not tighten things to the point where there is excessive tension on the belt. Using a pry bar to get that belt so tight you can "bounce an inch and a half socket off it" will put a lot of stress on the bearings in the pump, and other belt driven accessories. Tighter is not always better.

Half inch deflection.

Tom

[TodFitch]

Not saying that you did this, but the only suggestion that I have is to not tighten things to the point where there is excessive tension on the belt. Using a pry bar to get that belt so tight you can "bounce an inch and a half socket off it" will put a lot of stress on the bearings in the pump, and other belt driven accessories. Tighter is not always better.

I went through a lot of water pump rebuilding (can't get an off the shelf water pump for 1933 as the housing is different) before I got smart.

You only need the belt tight enough that the slippage at the fan and generator is negligible.

For my car it seems that the weight of the generator is just about enough by itself, so I just put a little force on the generator with one hand while I tighten up the top adjustment bolt with the other. No crowbars or levers to tension the belt at all. That would be way too much force.

The current water pump has been good for over 12 years now.

The best thing I have found to make your water pump last a long time is to buy a spare and carry it with you. That'll make the original last forever!

I do have a rebuilt spare in a box on the shelf. Maybe that is helping along with not getting the belt too tight.