Water Pump

[Michael M.]

My original water pump needs to be rebuilt. I have called two rebuilders and there is big difference in price. I would like to hear from others to get information on workmanship,turn around time and price.
Thank You,
Mike Markley

[Michael M.]

Water Pump

I need to have my original water pump rebuilt. I have called two rebuilders and there has been a big difference in price. I would like to hear from others about workmanship,turn around time and price.
Thank You,
Mike

[Brad M.]

Re: Water Pump

I think that I paid around $60 to have mine rebuilt. I can not remember the name of the guy, but he used the email address h2opumpman@aol.com as of a couple years ago and was located in Michigan, I think. I can probably look up his name if needed.

[Jim T.]

Re: Water Pump

Bill Mock advertises in the NCRS Driveline to rebuild water pumps. Did you check his services?

[Paul Y.]

Re: Water Pump

Michael, Might I suggest that you look in your local city area for a rebuilder. I just had my 175 rebuilt here in Denver for $45. and he let me watch him do it. Turn around time about 35 minutes. Paul

[Tim S.]

Re: Water Pump

Michael,

You can also go to a local parts store ( NAPA, Bumper to Bumper, Parts Plus, etc.) and it can be sent out. I have done this several times with great success. You will probably be in the $35-40 range plus shipping.

Best of luck,
Tim

[Michael M.]

Re: Water Pump

Thanks to all for your help and ideas. The two contacts that I made price ranged from $100 to $225. I thought this a little steep,especialy after buying a replacement for $36 at a parts store with no core charge.

Mike

[Jack H.]

Re: Water Pump

Expect the cost differences to be related to several issues:

(1) Rebuilder's volume (replacement parts price changes with the lot size of his parts buys).

(2) Rebuilder's profit margin (obvious issue).

(3) Rebuilder's due diligence (some true up interface points like pump to block and pump housing to rear plate).

(4) Rebuilder's choice of parts.

Item four can be a 'dicey' area because there's a significant range of quality in bearings, choice of internal impellers, choice of shaft/hub components. Sometimes, the cheapest rebuilder is actually using the better components, doing higher volume work while the higher cost shops are re-using worn original components (shaft/hub) and cutting corners to mask their lower volume business! But, it can be vice versa too...

Bottom line, probing questions about what you'll get for what you pay are helpful. Also, cost and quality do not always travel hand in glove!

[John H.]

Re: Water Pump

Arthur Gould Rebuilders, (631) 269-0093; sixty bucks, 2-day turnaround, has been doing them for decades.

[Joe C.]

Re: Water Pump

HOWARD Stewart Restorations; building premium water pumps for over 30 years; I can restore your original pump to current OEM specs. 336-476-9834, NC; howard@howardstewartrestorations.com

http://www.howardstewartrestorations.com/

He will supply a full rebuild kit, including FAG bearing/shaft, FAG seal, CAST IRON impeller, screws, gaskets, billet steel pulley hub, rear cover plate, for 25, that's right, 25 bucks plus S&H (9 bucks)!!!!

He'll rebuild yours for 75 if you can't do it yourself.


Look in the archives for the pump which I rebuilt, using his top quality parts.

[Joe C.]

Re: Water Pump

Arthur Gould Rebuilders, (631) 269-0093; sixty bucks, 2-day turnaround, has been doing them for decades.

John,

I had called Arthur Gould, before Stewart, and he told me that he uses the same parts that are supplied by LICS.
I then called LICS, and asked if their pump bearing/shaft assembly was a FAG part. The answer was no.
If both parties were truthful with me, then that does not bode well for Gould.

I didn't take any chances, and used Howard Stewart.
I won't quote here how much Mr.Mock wanted to charge me for a similar kit that Stewart put together for me...........but it wasn't pretty.

[Michael M.]

Re: Water Pump

Joe, Went to the Howard Stewart web site, impressive list of customers. I will call them tomorrow. Thanks, Mike

[Joe C.]

Re: Water Pump

The finished product:

For more photos, see: "Rebuilt 3859326 Water Pump Today" thread.

To address anticipated comments about the "incorrect" hub, I will only say, in advance, that I was advised by more than a couple experts, that it was not in the interest of safety to re-use the original 4 hole hub (which I retained, for historic preservation). This cannot be seen after installation of the pulley, so it would be "your little secret". Just tell 'em you have an original 4 hole hub under that nice, shiny pulley. If you insist on re-using the original hub, then just refrain from revving your engine much beyond 4000 RPM, else your expensive DeWitt's radiator might become Swiss cheese.

[James B.]

Re: Water Pump

Thanks for sharing your experience and providing the photos. I'll have to keep your water pump vendor recommendation in mind for my '72.

[Terry M.]

Re: Water Pump

The finished product:

For more photos, see: "Rebuilt 3859326 Water Pump Today" thread.

To address anticipated comments about the "incorrect" hub, I will only say, in advance, that I was advised by more than a couple experts, that it was not in the interest of safety to re-use the original 4 hole hub (which I retained, for historic preservation). This cannot be seen after installation of the pulley, so it would be "your little secret". Just tell 'em you have an original 4 hole hub under that nice, shiny pulley. If you insist on re-using the original hub, then just refrain from revving your engine much beyond 4000 RPM, else your expensive DeWitt's radiator might become Swiss cheese.

Joe,
Nice to hear that your car had a 4-hole hub. My 1970 has an 8-hole hub -- and for those skeptics the water pump has never been off the car and the car has never been out of my control for more than 4-hours -- and that was in 1970.
The myth that 8-hole dual-pattern hubs are a sign of a re-builders work is just that -- a myth. While it may be true in some/many cases it is NOT true in ALL cases.