Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / water pump new vs old?

Reply to Discussion | New Discussion << previous || next >>

Posted By Discussion Topic: water pump new vs old? -- page: 1 2 3 4     MICHV8 08-27-2010 @ 8:50 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 428 Joined: Jul 2010 I am trying to decide if a Skip rebuild at $200 is a smarter move than new at $100+ The old design is a bushing based and the new is a sealed bearing design...is the new actually a better designed pump? 37 Coupe 08-27-2010 @ 9:30 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 362 Joined: Oct 2009 I never took cost into account when having original bushing type pumps rebuilt by Skip or using the bushing type pump in general,to me it is the only way to go on 37-48 engines.I worked as a machinest in an industry where equipment exposed to heat and water used bushings when possible,bearings when need be,but a lot times that was the point of failure. The early pumps originally designed with an oiled bushing may wear but will not seize with a bearing that seal has failed to keep water out of,it may not ever happen but the possibilty is there. I guess that most repro bearing pumps are from India or China that are supplied. If you think Skip pumps are too expensive find a couple NOS or have someone else rebuild if you don't think you will need his impellers. wmsteed 08-27-2010 @ 11:07 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 613 Joined: Oct 2009 There was a time when parts and labor were cheap... That time is gone forever. I can remember when I was a kid, 60 plus years ago, leaking water pumps was a fact of life. It was very simple to go to Western Auto, pickup a couple of rebuild kits and in a short afternoon of work the pumps were rebuilt as good as new and would last a couple of years. That time is also gone forever.. Now to the question at hand... Is the Skip Haney pumps better than the other rebuilt pumps on the market? For my money the pumps with new style ceramic seals and sealed bearings are far away the best way to go... They work very well with coolant and a small amount of pressure can be used in the system along with a recovery tank. Is it advisable to use rebuilt old castings in lieu of new "Off Shore" manufactured pumps?... To me the answer is simple... Most of the off shore manufactured parts are borderline junk. With the difficulty of replacing a water pump plus the hassle of getting the vehicle home after it has lost it's coolant and possibly ruined an engine... The following old saying usually holds true. "The bitter taste of low quality lingers long after the sweet taste of low price" It is very true that generally speaking the original style oiled bushings will not seize where-as ball bearings will.... HOW MANY OF THE OLD FORD PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE OIL PASSAGE TO THE WATER PUMP MUST BE CLEANED WHEN EVER A PUMP IS REPLACED? EVERYONE THAT KNOWS THIS PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. Of course the old style seals leak where-as thew new style does not. Earlier this morning I wrote a lengthy email to a friend of mine that called me for answers to how he could correct an over heating problem on a '36 Ford he is working on... He had used all of the old time fixes, washers in the hoses and cut blades off of the impellers. Funny how old habits die so hard...... Bill 36 5 win delx cpe This message was edited by wmsteed on 8-27-10 @ 11:15 AM supereal 08-27-2010 @ 11:12 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 The "new" pumps have dual sealed ball bearings and an improved coolant seal to go with the redesigned impeller. I agree that Skip is a fine craftsman, and if you want to stay with the old bushings and carbon seals, he can do it. When Ford went to the bearings instead of the bushings in '49, there was a water intrusion problem. Modern sealed bearings should eliminate that worry, and the "hit and miss" oiling necessary with the bushings, as well as the problem of egg shaped bushings when the belt is too tight. 37RAGTOPMAN 08-27-2010 @ 5:01 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1958 Joined: Oct 2009 I sent a set of 37 FORD SCRIPT pumps to SKIP and had him rebuild them, work good , and the best thing they actually fit on with no problems, I heard some of the new pumps have had problems fitting on, I think with SKIPS PUMPS, is a no brainer. if you were to have a problem, which I highly doubt, he stands behind his work, HE USES BUSHING in his rebuilding process, for correct oil lubing.matter of fact they come with tape over the holes.and tell in instructions to make sure your oil passages are clean in your engine before installing so you will not seize the pumps or score the bushing and shafts, and if you called him guess who answers the phone ? were the other guys is a question, my 3 cents worth,37RAGTOPMAN an KEEP ON TRUCKIN,,,, This message was edited by 37RAGTOPMAN on 8-28-10 @ 4:59 PM TomO 08-28-2010 @ 8:02 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7250 Joined: Oct 2009 I have had bushing pumps seize on my car more than once and have seen them seize on other cars also. The machinery made and used in the pre 1970 era used bushings because they were cheaper and lasted a long time if kept properly oiled. Skips pumps work great and move much more water than the stock pumps. I do not know how the new pumps sold by Drake and Carpenter move water with their redesigned impellers. I prefer to have bearings over bushings in any rotating assembly. The ceramic seals and the sealed bearings in the new pumps should provide many years of trouble free service. Tom oldford2 08-30-2010 @ 9:48 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 275 Joined: Oct 2009 O K, Skip's pumps at @$200 a pair and the "new design" Chinese ones at $100+ a pair. I would think the retailer marks up the wholesale price 50% or so which means he paid maybe $65+ for the pair. The assumption is that sealed ball bearings and ceramic seals are better. I went to NAPA last month for a new ball bearing for my generator. I was quoted 2 prices: one for $3.50 and one for $12.80. My point is that there are low quality bearings out there and high quality bearings out there. Which one does the new pump have? Time will tell. I have over 5000 miles on a pair of Skip's pumps and no leaks or squeals yet. Until these "new" pumps are proven, buy American and let's get some new jobs in this country. My 2 cents John johnpoly 08-30-2010 @ 10:10 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 39 Joined: Oct 2009 I am a "Skip" fan. He did the waterpumps on by '36 and I am thrilled with the result. Average high was 200+ degrees, now down to 165 degrees on 95 degree days. oldford2 08-30-2010 @ 10:42 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 275 Joined: Oct 2009 Tom, You are assuming that the new pumps have quality parts. Do you remember the first batches had their holes off so much they were useless? John 37RAGTOPMAN 08-30-2010 @ 11:38 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1958 Joined: Oct 2009 I am with OLDFORD on buying AMERICAN MADE PARTS, and rememeber USA ones comes with a phone number, for help when you need it, MY 3 CENTS WORTH ,,,,37RAGTOPMAN an KEEP ON TRUCKIN

<< previous || next >>

PAGE: 1 2 3 4

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A REGISTERED USER AND BE LOGGED IN TO POST (and reply to) messages in this forum. If you are a first time user, please click the CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT in the masthead above to register and Log In. After that, all you do is LOG IN to enjoy using this site.

DISCLAIMER: The V-8 Club does no independent testing of any of the opinions, thoughts or suggestions presented in the website on the Forum, in the Tech Tips section, or any section. A reader should consider the website to be a forum wherein differing solutions to a particular set of circumstances may be discussed. Ultimately, the selection of an item for an individual's vehicle must be based upon the independent study of the vehicle owner in consultation with people in the hobby and restoration experts.

EFV-8 Club Forum Home | Back to Home Page | Contact the Webmaster

Copyright © 2009 - EFV-8.org
Powered by < CF FORUM > v.2.1