Water Pump Question

[[email protected]]

I bought the rebuild kit from Mikes and it doesn't look like the bearing is going to go into the housing. I measured the ID of the housing and it measured 1.186 and the OD of the bearing is 1.189. What gives? Here is the kit I bought:

https://www.mikes-afordable.com/mm5/...9f&Screen=SRCH

[Gary WA]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

I bought the rebuild kit from Mikes and it doesn't look like the bearing is going to go into the housing. I measured the ID of the housing and it measured 1.186 and the OD of the bearing is 1.189. What gives? Here is the kit I bought:

https://www.mikes-afordable.com/mm5/...9f&Screen=SRCH

That is the modern bearing maybe should have purchased the roller bearing type A8530? Never tried that one pressed fit??

[Bob Bidonde]

The modern bearing is supposed to be a light press-fit into the pump casting. The press-fit needs to be just enough to keep the bearing from spinning. Your press-fit is 0.003" and that is a bit much to force into cast iron. Put the bearing into a freezer for several hours and heat the pump casting. Then push the bearing into the casting. The pump shaft is also a press fit in the bearing, so freeze the shaft too.

[Joe K]

There have be a whole *hitpot of "aftermarket" Model A pumps made. Some of these are "pretty close" to what Ford originally provided.

I've seen differences in the front bearing as you're finding. With the needles/collar they work fine. With a set "leak proof pump" bearing such as you're trying to use perhaps not so much.

And even from Ford there were "varieties." Some have mentioned the "early" pump which has a very small hole on the underside. Then Ford kind of stuck to a stuffed packing pump with a press-in bronze front sleeve - no needles. Then Ford produced the "more typical" stuffed packing pump with the most common sprung sleeve and needles. Then Ford had available (past Model A production) a "replacement" pump which embodied the V8 type impeller/seal and a bronze sleeve at the front.

I have two "tubular" water pumps - these were used on the Baldwin Gleaner (driven by a Model A Ford engine)

And there were others. Perhaps more than can be counted or perhaps "accounted" for. One of my oddballs has a thin metal cover about where today you would put the green leather splash cover on a more typical pump.

I suspect Model A water pumps were the "most commonly changed" Model A component. Almost like "I want to work on my car this weekend maybe I'll change the water pump?"

Were this mine I would retrograde back to the standard spring bushing and needles. Check out Vince Falter's water pump page - or listen to Tom Petty for relaxation. There have been some significant diameter variations on water pump shafts provided for replacement. Something about 4 to 5 thou small - which affects both bearings and seal.

Joe

[[email protected]]

Joe K Thanks for the information. How do I find "Vince Falter's water pump page", or "listen to Tom Petty for relaxation"

[Gary WA]

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Originally Posted by [email protected]

Joe K Thanks for the information. How do I find "Vince Falter's water pump page", or "listen to Tom Petty for relaxation"

Model 'A' Ford Garage ~ Model 'B' Ford Garage

[[email protected]]

Thanks Bob Bidonde. I doubt that heating and freezing can eleminate a .003 diference.

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Thanks Bob Bidonde. I doubt that heating and freezing can eleminate a .003 diference.

It will expand with heat and shrink with freezing ! If you don’t believe heat the housing then measure, freeze the bearing then measure ! The first time I saw this was helping install a yolk on an aircraft nose gear , my boss the mechanic said we need to be quick as when the temperatures equalized it went tink quickly !

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Thanks Bob Bidonde. I doubt that heating and freezing can eleminate a .003 diference.

A good example, at least for heating a part, is installing a ring gear on a Model A flywheel. Heat the gear, it "grows" and it falls on. After cooling, the starter spins the engine without the ring gear spinning on the flywheel.

[[email protected]]

Gary WA, Where will I find the information on water pumps on the information you sent?

[CT Jack]

If you want to stay with the givens then machining is the next step. Bore or ream the pump casting ID .5 mils (.0005") smaller than the bearing OD. This will allow press fitting the bearing into the casting

[katy]

I would hone it out for a light press fit and use "Bearing retainer", such as Loctite 648 Retaining Compound.

[Joe K]

Check out the shaft. Original is 0.500. Vince at his now NOT FOUND page used to discuss the issue that most replacement shafts are done in stainless, and for some manufacturing anomaly these were all made 4 to 7 thousandths too small in diameter. Perhaps associated with the "rolling" process and how most of these start their overseas production life?

Mentioned/studied by Vince that prepared shafts of steel or stainless have issues with the front nose "taper" being formed on many with TWO tapers back to back. A manufacturing inconsistency again arising from the overseas source perhaps? Hard to get a prepared taper in the fan hub to sit consistently on a "duplex taper."

Vince had pump shafts turned down from "oversize" stock (9/16ths perhaps) and these were a lot more successful.

But that is a capability which most of us don't have.

One of my more successful pump rebuilds was done by installing a hardened Torrington "sleeve" on the pump shaft. A slightly small shaft can be "punch peined" to upset the surface and hold the sleeve central and in place. "Knurling" can have the same result. But this hardened sleeve fit the press-in "can" bearing (IIRC they are sold as "pairs" for exactly this purpose) perfectly. But it makes your pump necessary to be assembled using a press - and some forethought.

I may be duplicating the construction of the "Forever Pump." My direction came from one of the early "How to Restore Your Model A" MAFCA books.

At about 1/3rd the cost - which is the only advantage...

Joe K

[old ugly]

do you have the bearing or bushing that came out of it?

[rotorwrench]

I tend to look for a parts source that gives me more choice in available products for stuff like this. I also have sources that I trust more just due to my own personal experience. The water pump parts available are all over the place in quality and reliability. There are other types of front bearing to include the original Hyatt type roller with liner and the more modern ball bearing type which some folks choose for being heavy duty at least in theory. I still use the Hyatt type front bearing since it has a longer history of relatively reliable service. The bushing with the rubber seal still has a packing in case the seal craps out so a person can limp a while before going back into the pump. I do use the adjustable thrust sleeve on the front to prevent the shaft from futher wearing on the stub inside the cylinder head. It seams to keep the shaft in check pretty well.

So far, no source offers a carbon face seal on the wet side to eliminate the packing. This would be the most reliable type but it just hasn't happened yet. Maybe some day!

[Terry Burtz, Calif]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

I tend to look for a parts source that gives me more choice in available products for stuff like this. I also have sources that I trust more just due to my own personal experience. The water pump parts available are all over the place in quality and reliability. There are other types of front bearing to include the original Hyatt type roller with liner and the more modern ball bearing type which some folks choose for being heavy duty at least in theory. I still use the Hyatt type front bearing since it has a longer history of relatively reliable service. The bushing with the rubber seal still has a packing in case the seal craps out so a person can limp a while before going back into the pump. I do use the adjustable thrust sleeve on the front to prevent the shaft from futher wearing on the stub inside the cylinder head. It seams to keep the shaft in check pretty well.

So far, no source offers a carbon face seal on the wet side to eliminate the packing. This would be the most reliable type but it just hasn't happened yet. Maybe some day!

A new water pump, which looks original and features a Carbon/Ceramic face seal, will soon be available. I will post more details in the thread titled "I need a job".

The new water pump uses 3 deep groove ball bearings that are sealed for life, and the same face seal that is used in Ford 2.3 (140), 2.5 (153), 3.0 (183), 3.3 (200), 3.8 (231), 4.1 (250), 4.2 (255), 5.0(302), 5.8 (351), 6.6 (400), and 7.5 (460) engines. This face seal is also used in water pumps for American Motors, General Motors, and Chrysler engines.

[rotorwrench]

Originally Posted by Terry Burtz, Calif

A new water pump, which looks original and features a Carbon/Ceramic face seal, will soon be available. I will post more details in the thread titled "I need a job".

The new water pump uses 3 deep groove ball bearings that are sealed for life, and the same face seal that is used in Ford 2.3 (140), 2.5 (153), 3.0 (183), 3.3 (200), 3.8 (231), 4.1 (250), 4.2 (255), 5.0(302), 5.8 (351), 6.6 (400), and 7.5 (460) engines. This face seal is also used in water pumps for American Motors, General Motors, and Chrysler engines.

Now we're talking. That should be as close to "leakless" as it gets. They all crap out eventually.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Terry Burtz, Calif

A new water pump, which looks original and features a Carbon/Ceramic face seal, will soon be available. I will post more details in the thread titled "I need a job".

The new water pump uses 3 deep groove ball bearings that are sealed for life, and the same face seal that is used in Ford 2.3 (140), 2.5 (153), 3.0 (183), 3.3 (200), 3.8 (231), 4.1 (250), 4.2 (255), 5.0(302), 5.8 (351), 6.6 (400), and 7.5 (460) engines. This face seal is also used in water pumps for American Motors, General Motors, and Chrysler engines.

That sounds VERY like what I have done to a couple of my water pumps. I've run a carbon seal for at least 10-12 years and even considered sending some to the US.

[[email protected]]

old ugly: you asked "do you have the bearing or bushing that came out of it?" Yes I do, why do you ask?

[old ugly]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

old ugly: you asked "do you have the bearing or bushing that came out of it?" Yes I do, why do you ask?

is it still good or worn out?

if good reuse it.
if worn out measure it to get the exact size bearing needed

3rd option. i can try to measure one i have here so you can see if it is the housing undersize or if the new bearing is oversize