The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1939 JC water pump- NOS rebuild kit or just pay a rebuilder?

I'm in the process of completely redoing the cooling system on the original 216. My water pump is not currently leaking but appears to be the original. I see NOS rebuild kits on ebay but don't know if many-decade-old kits are the way to go. That could be an inexpensive alternative to to a rebuild service or false economy if the kit is beyond use. Any thoughts or recommendations of reputable rebuilders? Thanks!

I would not rebuild it with an NOS kit. Rust? Pitting? decayed seals or whatever?

I sent my 216 water pump to The Frying Dutchman (Come for the freak. Stay for the food) a year and a half ago. So far, so good. You can see his rebuild procedure on Youtube where he is coincidentally rebuilding a Chevy 216 water pump.

He's been around for decades and has a good reputation in the antique Cadillac community.

Then and Now Automotive will also rebuild your pump and I believe they sell kits to do it yourself. They did a great job on my fuel pump and have a good reputation as rebuilders of many antique car parts (balancers, motor mounts, fuel pumps, etc)

The pumps are so easy to install and remove, I'm not sure I would mess with it if it isn't leaking and if there is no play in the bearing. You could take the rear cover off and inspect the vanes on the impeller and look for corrosion. Have you had overheating problems that point to possible pump failure?

If all is well, button it up and reuse it.

Water pump rebuilder and seller of antique water pumps for all makes and models. Services Europe and USA

Flying Dutchman
Wade Jenezon, 650 Upper River Rd
Gold Hill, OR 97525 USA
1-888-595-1110 Outside the U.S., 1-541-450-2277
http://water-pump-rebuilders.com/


Then and Now Automotive

447 Washington St
Weymouth, Ma 02188
Ph: 781.335.8860
Fax: 781.335.1925
https://www.then-now-auto.com/

I haven't had any problems with overheating but I haven't really driven the truck much yet. Just a lot of idling while working on fuel issues and a few trips up and down the driveway. I agree with your doubts about NOS rebuild kits being way past their prime. After posting this thread, I came to that same conclusion. I appreciate your referral Otto and will go from there. Our sole remaining clutch and water pump rebuilder in the Denver, CO area closed up shop some time in the last few years.

As a reminder, your 1939 water pump is the same from 1937 through 1940. From 1941 through 1953 the pumps were different and not interchangeable with yours. Yours has a single hole where it attaches to the block and the later pumps have two holes. So don't do what I did and order a pump for my 1937 216 from the vendors and expect it to fit.

Kent

Don't know the Flying Dutchman, thus no possible comment.

Have known the owner of Then & Now for more than 40 years.

He has done several items for me including designing and building a custom fuel pump for a special application.

Highest possible recommendation !

Jon

Funny that you should mention that, Kent. I also ordered a 41-53 pump by mistake in the closing hour of a vendor sale (when I was in too much of a hurry) and put it away for later use. Surprise!

Thank you Jon for your recommendation.

What I ended up doing is using Filling Station's rebuild service. I know that they're making their extra cut for being the intermediary but I've been buying from them for years and trust their judgement as to rebuild quality. Maybe the original pump would continue to run for years without a rebuild, but I have a mental image of getting 5 miles down the road and springing a leak on an otherwise refurbished cooling system. This truck did sit in a barn for 40 years before I bought it. Thanks everybody!

Dave

Otto - do you happen to recall the cost of rebuilding the 216 pump?

It was $109.00, I think. I have the price in a maintenance log at $159 but that includes shipping the pump, gasket cement, and other related stuff.

It was only slightly more than the cost of a new Chinese one so I opted for rebuilding an American made one.