halftrackinfo
drive train => cooling system => Topic started by: 8683jb on February 13, 2018, 09:02:33 PM
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After my water pump recently signed off, I got an NOS repair kit for it from Kevin Lockwood. It comes with everything needed, including a new impeller with the sealing parts already assembled.
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180207_080657.jpg)
I used a common harmonic balancer puller to remove the pulley.
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180203_160557_2_.jpg)
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180203_160640_2_.jpg)
I don’t have the impeller puller and didn’t want to make one for a one-time job, so after removing the drive pulley and bearing retainer, I used Darth_Kitten’s method (thanks Mark) of pushing the whole bearing/shaft assembly out of the impeller. My press was inaccessible at the time, and I didn’t have much hope that I could remove it this way, but I thought I’d see if a hammer and drift would do it without beating it to death. I set the pump, nose down, on a sleeve big enough for the front bearing to pass through and started off by just giving it a couple of medium taps. I was surprised when the shaft started moving right off the bat and I was able to drive it out of the impeller with just moderate taps.
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180204_151322_2_.jpg)
While cleaning it, I learned that paint/epoxy remover will soften up the scale inside the pump so a small stainless wire brush can remove it without a lot of trouble. After a good cleaning, I restored the seal surface where the carbon seal runs. Here’s how I did that: http://halftrackinfo.com/index.php?topic=1916.msg11419;topicseen#new
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180206_132753.jpg)
The grease in the 1953-packaged bearings had turned pretty stiff (like my own 1953 shoulders, knees, etc.) and the bearings were stuck. They’re shielded on both sides, so I don’t know how they could be cleaned and re-packed. With some massaging, I got the bearings turning again but they were slightly “lumpy”. I thought if I got them warm, but not too hot, the grease would maybe soften up, so I left them on the stove top over the pilot light for a few hours, then I spun them around a little by hand in both directions to re-distribute the grease. Now they’re running smooth again. Because the heat was low, no grease was lost from the bearings and since I can’t get into them, I have to assume there’s sufficient grease in them as originally packed.
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180207_081218_2_.jpg)
After I assembled the bearings, spacer, slinger, etc. on the new shaft, I set the rear bearing part way into the housing. As I lowered the bearing/shaft assembly, I kept filling the pump cavity with Allstate 4400 grease, which looked and felt like a match to the existing grease in the pump. I couldn’t tell the difference in the firmness of one vs the other. I’m not sure why the manual says to fill the cavity, because the bearings are essentially sealed, but grease is cheap - and it couldn’t hurt. It was pretty full up by the time I slid the front bearing in.
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180207_083802_2_.jpg)
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180207_130756_2_.jpg)
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180207_131622_2_.jpg)
After installing and safety-wiring the bearing retainer and with the press accessible again, I pressed the impeller on and then the pulley. I would definitely use a press for reassembly. The new parts make a tight fit and I think driving them on would cause damage to the components, especially the carbon seal.
When I reinstalled the pump cover I used Aviation Permatex on the gasket. It’s always worked well for me in this kind of application.
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180207_142610_2_.jpg)
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180207_142837_2_.jpg)
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180207_173456_2_.jpg)
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180207_181600_2_.jpg)
A coat of paint on the pump and fan and with the fan installed and safety-wired, it was ready to be reinstalled. I used the same Permatex on the mounting gasket. I set a sheet of cardboard in front of the radiator to keep from creating another project due to a fan blade mishap.
(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180211_121446_2_.jpg)(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180211_121416_2_.jpg)
Well, that's it. I reinstalled the pump, refilled with antifreeze, ran it up to temperature and so far, so good!
Many thanks to Steve A. for the help in posting this. I hope this info will be helpful to someone else in their rebuild.
Jon
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Great job on the rebuild! The photos look great. Keep up the great work you are doing.
Steve A.
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Thanks Steve...couldn't have done it withoutcha!
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Awesome! Better than new!
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Great write up, thanks for posting.
Gary