Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

How do you remove the impeller shaft to replace the seal?

Dear Packman70:

The procedure is straight forward given you have a hydraulic press.

In the old days we used to do these ourselves, but nowadays it is more cost effective to just buy a rebuilt from one of the major suppliers.

The reason this is so is because if you have an electric over hydraulic press you can dial in the settings and bang the units together in about three minutes.

If you still want to do it yourself consult Chapter: Radiator and Cooling System in the Packard Manual.

Good luck with your car.

I recommend just putting a repop unit on, it's hard enough removing everything and reaching in to clean the gasket surfaces and whatnot, and then when you have the part out, you have to rebuild it too. Might as well remove, clean block, re-install, fill, and be done. Also, if you do have a leak or issue, you can go back to the vendor. If you reman it yourself, i would doubt there would be any warranty support.

With the water pump off, the distribution tube is now accessible, making a good opportunity to remove and clean the tube and also the cylinder block of built up crud. Downside is you also have to remove the radiator so the tube can be slid out, but doing this also improves access to the block gasket surface which must be cleaned. And, while it's out, you could check, clean and pressure test the radiator too. Leave it at that otherwise this could go on and on to a full blown resto!

We manufacture brand new water pumps 1938-50. www.kanter.com/packard Above suggestion to perform other maint. a very good idea.

There is no impeller shaft per se. OLder Packards before 1937 had an impeller shaft and either bronze bushings or ball bearikngs that it rotated in. 1938 up most (yours) had a shaft and bearing assembly where the shaft you see is the inner ball earing race and the large diameter "barrel" yoiu see then end of below the hub is the outer race. When replacing the seal it is highly advised to replace the bearing & shaft assembly as it has to come ut anyway adn the small aditional cost is well worth it considering tha amount of labor to just replace the seal, Do It Once and Do It Right