The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Leaking water pump shaft

My search abilities seem to be failing me today....

I just filled my cooling system on my 216 today to check for leaks and I found one.
The water pump is leaking at the shaft. A decent leak too.
What is the best course of action?
The seal dried out after 7-8 years of being dry I assume.
I search Jim Carters and didn't see a seal kit, just new pumps and "water pump graphite packing: Stops leaks around shaft of these early pumps: 1926-36"
My truck is a 1946. All original to the best of my knowledge.
Off to continue searching....Aaron

I think that packing was for earlier water pumps that had a packing gland nut that could be tightened around the shaft or the packing could be replaced.
You'll have to change the water pump. I got a rebuilt one from NAPA for around fifty dollars, plus core charge. I just removed the water pump from my '46 216 today. It's too hot here to for me to do any more today. I'll be pulling the radiator out also because I think it had a leak also. I'll have it checked at a radiator shop.
Let me know if you want the NAPA part number.
Before you pull the pump make sure it's not a leaking radiator hose. I changed the heater hoses and I'll change the radiator hoses since they were cracking. They hadn't leaked yet but they needed to be changed soon anyway.

Jacques

Yep, plan to pull it tomorrow. The hoses are not leaking, I kept a close eye on it all evening. The leak has slowed quite a bit, down to a drop per second. But better safe than sorry.
If you've got that part # handy it would be VERY helpful to have- I live in Quebec and don't speak a word of French. Makes for some frustrating trips to get parts.
Almost ready to hear her run!
Thanks Jacques, Aaron

Aaron, the NAPA part number that I have is 58-125. It's on the box below the bar code and on my receipt. The rebuilt pump comes with a new gasket. The counter man was able to look it up on his computer. A month ago I wanted them to get me a fuel pump but he wasn't ablet to find it on the computer. He got it from the retired former manager who goes there every morning for coffee. The old guy remembered the number because it was ordered so often years ago.
Good luck!
Jacques

That's funny, the 'old' guys in my trade are the same way remembering old part numbers. I was getting a little too accustomed to picking up the phone instead of picking up a book. Thanks a ton, that number will be useful tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Aaron

AAron,
You might try a water pump sealer if you think the seal dried & shrunk. Sometinmes you get lucky. The sealer will lube & swell the seal back to original shape.
Harold

More on the NAPA Water Pump:

Water Pump - Remfd
Product Line: Remanufactured Water Pump

Part Number: WP 58125

Price: Price $53.49
Core Unit $18.99

Availability: Call NAPA Store

Features & Benefits Proper Type Of Bearing By Application Is Used As Specified By OE.; Every Water Pump Is Supplied w/ Quality Mounting Gasket. Necessary Component Is Supplied To Complete The Job.

Warranty Limited Lifetime, Replacement Will Be Issued for Unit that Proves Defective During Normal Use on the Vehicle on Which It Was Originally Installed. Extended Only to the Owner of the Vehicle on Which the Unit is Installed-Not Transferable.

Attributes # Water Pump Hose Connectors : 1
Contents : Gasket(s) Included.
New Components : Designed And Manufactured w/ The Best New Unitized Seals. Ensures Long, Trouble-Free Performance.
Pulley Type : V-Belt
Water Pump Rotation : Counterclockwise

Application Information: 1946 Chevrolet Truck
Comments: w/ 5/8" Grooved Pulley

Most water pumps use a mechanical seal, a carbon disc spring-loaded against a ceramic seat. Sealers don't work, but running a pump with a seep leak up to operating temperature several times will sometimes clean it up enough to stop the leak. Since your leak is diminishing, try several heat/cool cycles to see if it dries up altogether. It probably won't, but it's worth a try.
Jerry

I stopped in at Napa today and they can have the pump to me in a couple days. I held off ordering it because the leak had stopped overnight. Dry as a bone, level down 1 inch since I filled it up around 9pm. At first I thought the seal may have swelled up but it's probably just plugged with residue. ?.
I'll try heat/cooling and see how it goes.
Napa here (Canada) charges $100 for the pump. $35 for the core. Quite a difference in price.
Thanks for the info you 3.

Aaron