Is anyone else still offering rebuilt V8 oil pumps?

Posted by Jack Vines On 2017/1/20 15:59:39

Yes, the Oldsmobile conversion kits continue to sell. I just had another batch run off this month.

However, some very conservative owners still want a rebuilt OEM pump and to be able to retain their vacuum pump. I had a begging request from a group of European owners to rebuild some pumps. I tried to get out of it, but they seemed like nice guys, so I said OK.

I'd forgotten just how difficult this process is. It requires disassembling and cleaning some really gunky old pumps, pressing out the old idler and pressing in the new shaft, reaming out the worn shaft hole in the body, making new drive shafts, honing new gears to a press fit, hand fitting the new shaft and gears to the bodies, setting end play, removing the worn surface from inside the vacuum pump body, reassembling everything.

About half the parts, such as the vacuum pump housing, upper drive shaft, are so worn they usually have to be replaced. Fortunately, I've got boxes of used ones from which to choose, but they're getting pretty picked over.

Bottom line, it's hard to say "no" to our Packard friends, but it simply is too much work to rebuild the old pumps and I'd like to know where to send the inquiries I get. Anyone else out there still offering rebuilds?

jack vines