1948 Cadillac water pump rebuild

[48ragtop]

I've been considering having my water pump rebuilt for my 48 Cadillac.   I've investigated the various rebuilders and what they offer.   My question relates to sealed bearings vs. original type.   Obviously there are rebuilders offering new sealed bearings claiming no need to periodically grease the pump.   I've had one rebuilder who stated that he doesn't offer newer style bearings (sealed) because machining of the pump housing is needed to install them.   He said, and this makes some sense, that it removes material and potentially weakens the pump housing.   As a result he provides bearings that do require greasing, but can be installed without needing to machine the pump housing.   

Another rebuilder told me that even with sealed bearings the rebuilt pump would still  need periodic lubrication.   Grease was needed for what I'm not sure??

Any feedback or experience on the issue of sealed bearings and/or machining of the pump housing would be appreciated.

[Brett Baird]

John Washburn had an excellent article on rebuilding these water pumps in the June and July 2013 Self Starter.  Page 33 of the June issue has a photo illustrating the internal parts of the pump.  The front bearing on these pumps is sealed, and requires no grease.  The pump shaft is supported in the pump housing by bronze bearings (essentially heavy duty bushings), and they do require periodic greasing.  I suppose that somewhere a talented machinist could fit sealed bearings in the housing to replace these bushings, but why?  If you replace the old packings with modern seals as suggested in John's article, don't over tighten the belt, and keep the bushings greased, the pump should enjoy a long life.

[48ragtop]

Brett:

Thanks for the response and info.   Makes sense, particularly as these cars are not driven daily, pump should last quite a while.

Thanks,

Ed Wisniewski
CLC No. 26482

[joeceretti]

I rebuilt mine, from my 38, recently with a kit I bought online for about $75. It was very easy and came with an instruction sheet. The only thing I didn't have was the press to put the pulley back on. Dropped by a friends shop and it took all of 30 seconds to press it on. Mounted it and it works beautifully. I think the pumps are the same with only differences in the ports.