Re: 1948 Super Eight Resurrection

Posted by Joseph Earl On 2012/3/28 22:21:32

Today I took my water pump over to my friend's machine shop, to get the shaft pressed out and to install my new Merritt water pump rebuild kit. I had removed the back plate from the pump, media blasted everything, run taps and dies on the bolts and nuts, and was anticipating installing my fresh water pump tonight.

Things didn't work out that way.

The fan hub didn't want to come off. Using an electric hydraulic press, we first tried a bearing removal tool underneath the hub, and were bending the bolts on that. Then we pressed on the shaft where it stuck out of the hub, and had success moving the bearing in the housing. Pressing until the hub touched the snout, we decided to continue to attempt to press the shaft after heating the hub. It was working until we stopped to get something to catch the hot impeller and shaft when it released and fell out the bottom of the press. When we resumed pressing the shaft, the socket that was positioned on the shaft had moved off center, and it caught the edge of the hub, cracking the casting.

I tried to save a few bucks, and now I have to buy a pump and pay the core charge. I'm returning the rebuild kit, of course.

Anyone out there have a junk (but buildable) water pump they would like to donate to a good cause? Please let me know- I'll pay shipping...