1972 454 water pump shaft play - how much is too much?

[Randall K.]

Now that I got the water pump pulley off, I'm seeing some play on the water pump shaft. None longitudinally, but I'd estimate 1-2 mm as measured at the end of the shaft.

No leaks at shaft - at least no hardened water stains. Of course, this could be leaking down onto the crankshaft and I might not ever see it...

Time to rebuild / replace??

Thanks
Randy

[Tom L.]

Re: 1972 454 water pump shaft play - how much is too much?

Not sure how to answer your question directly but I can tell you this. My brother in law knew there was a small noise in the front of the engine and knowing that we went out for a run in our cars and had breakfast. About 2 miles from the restaurant he found the cause of the noise. Water pump bearing failed bad and sent the fan through the radiator destroying both. Sometimes preventative maintainance is wise, especially when you've recognized even a small issue. Good luck!

[Randall K.]

Re: 1972 454 water pump shaft play - how much is too much?

Yikes! Convinced me! Now I need to find a rebuilder (2 in the Driveline) or find a press and to it myself v

[Richard G.]

Re: 1972 454 water pump shaft play - how much is too much?

Rebuilding it was a good move as any discernible movement is bad. 1MM is .040"
You should only have the internal bearing clearance which is closer to .0004" which is 0.01MM.
I have also lost the whole shebang. Radiator, fan, fan clutch when a pump went bad.
I wasn't driving.

[Randall K.]

Re: 1972 454 water pump shaft play - how much is too much?

Rebuild it will be, then.

I figure I can get the fan hub off the shaft with a gear puller. Do I really need a hydraulic press to remove and replace the rest of the parts, or could I gently tap out/in the parts using an appropriate sized socket and a hammer?

Thanks!

[Richard G.]

Re: 1972 454 water pump shaft play - how much is too much?

The hub has an extreme interference fit. Might pull it with a quality puller.
The issue is there isn't a center in the shaft to push on.
Hydraulics is your friend on this job. You will need a press to get it back one anyway.
However, because the pump is so large it's difficult to get situated in many hydraulic puller.
I have every tool known to woman (ask my wife). And I would likely sent this job out for rebuilding.
If you do send it out, or even if you do it yourself, take pictures and measure where the hub is on the shaft.
In my experience the hub position can vary a lot between re-builders.
Cheers.