Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Planned to take 400 to local AACA meeting. Ran to warm up, check fluids, tires etc. Oops small puddle on floor, coolant! "Drats".
Ordered kit(bearing, seal, gasket).
Found old carbon seal to be cracked and broken, fell apart when dissembled pump.
Pressed in new seal, and bearing. Made sure shaft turned free and easy. Installed. Leaked from hole in bottom of pump housing. Leaking around seal.
Removed dissembled , inspected impeller face, some pitting and what looked like there may have concentric groves machined on the face at one time. Polished face with 220 paper reassembled and reinstalled. Loud squeaking noise!
Oh Oh! Removed again dissembled, found brass cap holding spring and seal pressed to close to impeller and had rubbed on impeller. Cleaned up edges that had distorted from contacting impeller. Made sure seal moved freely in and out, unrestricted. Reinstalled. This time different noise. Removed, again and found one blade of the impeller had made contact with manifold. Pressed impeller in a "tad" Installed it for the fifth time! Added coolant. No noise! but leaked like a sieve!!
I give up. Any suggestions? or would I be better off sending it out to some one who rebuilds water pumps?

I can only tell you that I have no car/mechanical skills...and I don't want to be marooned...so I send out. Not worth the small savings....to me.

I admire your tenacity. As much aggravation as you've had already, I'd have cried uncle after the second or third time and sent it to Gouldhttp://arthurgouldrebuilders.com/ Terrill Machine or someone else by now. Since you may have to buy some more parts if you keep going, probably money ahead to send it off. They have the tools, parts and can probably identify the problem quickly.

Water pump is the only piece that I sent out. You have to have the right tools, and know exactly what you are doing, or you that pricey rebuild kit becomes waste bin fodder. For a few dollars more, send it out, and let the frustration be someone else's problem.

Packards1 here--AKA Patrician Industires has them properly rebuilt, ready to go.

I've bought several items from PAckards1 over the years. He is an excellent source for 55/56 parts. Maybe other models too. Jack Vines in Washington State has V8 engine parts too. Both have have fair prices and fast shipping. No problems buying from either one of them.

I took a quick look thru the 55/56 service manual but could not find any procedure outlined for water pump rebuilding.

Happy,
How close do the parts in the rebuild kit match to the old parts taken from the pump???? Any differences???? Sometimes differenses can be very subtle too so have to inspect close.

I'm not familiar with Packard1 - could someone post his phone and/or email address?

Thanks,
Bernardi

Joel Ray, Patrician Industries in Dearborn 313 565-3573. Email Packards1@aol.com and here is his ebay store.http://stores.ebay.com/packards1