Water pump seal (and impeller)

[Killermiller]

Hello to everybody,
my water pump seal needs replacement (coolant leaks from the small drain hole under the sump). I've bought a new one and started taking the thing apart, but I've found a mess: impeller badly corroded, bolt pitted and so corroded the wrench couldn't get in its hole for more than a couple mm. I've soldered an allen wrench inside the bolt hole, but it snapped. In the end I could remove that damned bolt only after soldering a 19mm nut on it, just to find out that the impeller is stuck on the shaft. I've tapped it gently, than harder, then so hard I've broken a couple of its "wings" (no big deal, since I have another one in much better condition sitting in my parts box), and no joy. That thing is still in place. My puller arms won't fit behind it, so I'm planning to break it apart with my pneumatic chisel. Any risk of damaging the oil pump behind, in your opinion?
Second: any chance to remove the old seal without removing the sump? How? I did remove with almost no effort a crankshaft seal using the two wood screws method, but I'm very skeptical a couple of parker screws will be enough to pull out a corroded seal...

[Gadge]

I wouldn't use the chisel you may bend the shaft that connects to the pump. If it were me i'ld remove the sump (crankcase) then remove the oil pump from inside. It may be possible to place a small drift through the centre of the water pump impeller (where the bolt was before you removed it) and drift it out. It maybe tight though. I used a 10 ton bench press on mine and pushed it out.

[Killermiller]

Gadge, thank you very much for your help.
In the end I could take the impeller off. In case it should be of any help to someone else, I put the gearbox in 4th and, with the parking brake engaged, used the air chisel with power set to minimum, hitting the impeller tangentially on each blade, back and forward, very gently, to avoid damaging the shaft and the rest.




Another couple of blades broke, but the impeller broke free almost immediately and in a couple of minutes I could get it out without having to destroy it with the risk of damaging somethng else. Of course, the impeller is rubbish anyway. 

I removed the old seals more easily than I expected, with the sump in place, using wood screws of different sizes and a reverse hammer (I decided to replace the oil seal as well, since it's old and surely worn, costs only €1 and is right behind the €35 coolant seal I'm just going to replace).

[dadandlad]

This is the water pump seal a few of us water cooled boys have used quite a bit cheaper than 35 Euro
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Water-Pump-Seal-Perkins-3-152-4-203-4-318-Massey-165-230-250-285-298-350-595-/221582376845?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item339756bf8d

Also watch that the shaft has not rotted or else you will never get it to seal I modified mine by fitting a stainless steel sleeve and machining so it shouldn't be a problem ever again

[Killermiller]

Hello dadandlad, thank you very much.
I was aware of the fact that the seal you linked me would fit, I've seen that on a the topic on this forum before opening this one, but at the time I had already bought it from my local part store. Too late... 
The shaft was in good condition, but the way you repaired yours is very clever. Just out of curiosity, how much will a machine shop ask for a job like that in the UK?

About the car, I've just finished reassembling it and everything seems fine. I've taken it for a test drive until the fan was on and no leaks. Good.

By the way, do you have a thermostat on yours? I've decided to remove mine for good when it got stuck (CLOSED  )

[dadandlad]

I'm not sure what machine shops charge nowadays but would think a couple of hours work at the most
 I am running mine with the thermostat fitted but I do keep a close eye on the temp gauge

[phill9702]

Hi,
New to all this car restoration business, brought a fiat 126 bis on eBay last year and have now completed a bit of welding etc. Definitely learning some new skills.
I am having problems with the oil seal and water pump seal. I have brought the water pump seal and the oil seal below from eBay twice now, both times that I have fitted it I have found that it still leaks, mixing together the oil and water inside the engine. At least I have learnt to take out the engine in a time that would compete with a F1 racing team.
Have you any advice on what I am doing wrong. Are there any instructions out there on the www that I could follow to make sure that everything fits as it should.

Thanks for you assistance.

Phill

[cider]

Hi
Not sure if I`d read this correctly but You shouldn`t get the coolant by-passing the oil pump seal
as theres a drain hole inbetween water pump seal and oil seal
Best to look elsewhere "maybe head gasket?"