Brad Hole
Member
Hey guys. First off, a rant. Secondly, advice/HELP.
I have a 1956 312ci Mercury in a 1947 truck chassis (not my swap) that shelled the water pump in June. I looked across the internet and could not find a high mount water pump anywhere. So I sent it out to a rebuilder (who was recommended by a long-time friend that is in the parts business), they had it a week, and it came back leaking pretty bad. Welp, it happens.
However, I had a parade coming up that weekend, so I looked even harder for a water pump. Finally found the original Ford part number, and searched the internet with THAT part number. I found a website that is basically an inventory of all known part numbers in every warehouse across the country (for reference, it is called RearCounter.com) and typed the part number in there. It comes back to show that Dennis-Carpenter has three NOS in their warehouse. Sweet!
The next morning, I call them up and ask for the NOS parts division. I give the guy the part number, and he says "Yep. Computer says I have three in stock."
"Sweet!" I say to myself. "How much?" I ask, fully expecting them to cost an arm and a leg - but frankly, I did not care. I needed that pump!
"It'll be...oh, $85.00" he replied. I nearly screamed with joy.
"Perfect, can I get expedited shipping?" And we finished the transaction. This was at 9am cdt.
At 4pm that day, I get a phone call. "Yeah, uh...we looked in a few different bins, we couldn't find it...We'll issue you your refund. Sorry, our bad. We'll adjust our inventory." Don't get me wrong, it happens (I used to work at a parts store), but dangit, I was so close! I got home that night and scoured the internet again...nope. Nothing else at all. The pumps are made of 100%, pure UnObtainium
So, we made that pump work for the parade and a car show the next weekend by screwing a set screw coated in pipe dope and teflon tape into the weep hole. I should have just left it that way...
Anyway, the rebuilder took it back under warranty in late July/early August. This time, he had the pump for a MONTH, and we finally got the pump back yesterday. I put it in tonight, and, what do you know, THE PUMP STILL LEAKS.
We have another show in a week that I have to take the truck to, so I'm just going to go with the same approach with the set screw for now. But, uh...
Does anyone know where I can find a good pump and/or have any GOOD recommendations for rebuilders? I know of two other cores that I should be able to buy relatively cheap, so I'll have cores to send out in the interim...
Too long; didn't read: These pumps (and rebuild kits) are made of unobtainium, and I need one. Please help
I have a 1956 312ci Mercury in a 1947 truck chassis (not my swap) that shelled the water pump in June. I looked across the internet and could not find a high mount water pump anywhere. So I sent it out to a rebuilder (who was recommended by a long-time friend that is in the parts business), they had it a week, and it came back leaking pretty bad. Welp, it happens.
However, I had a parade coming up that weekend, so I looked even harder for a water pump. Finally found the original Ford part number, and searched the internet with THAT part number. I found a website that is basically an inventory of all known part numbers in every warehouse across the country (for reference, it is called RearCounter.com) and typed the part number in there. It comes back to show that Dennis-Carpenter has three NOS in their warehouse. Sweet!
The next morning, I call them up and ask for the NOS parts division. I give the guy the part number, and he says "Yep. Computer says I have three in stock."
"Sweet!" I say to myself. "How much?" I ask, fully expecting them to cost an arm and a leg - but frankly, I did not care. I needed that pump!
"It'll be...oh, $85.00" he replied. I nearly screamed with joy.
"Perfect, can I get expedited shipping?" And we finished the transaction. This was at 9am cdt.
At 4pm that day, I get a phone call. "Yeah, uh...we looked in a few different bins, we couldn't find it...We'll issue you your refund. Sorry, our bad. We'll adjust our inventory." Don't get me wrong, it happens (I used to work at a parts store), but dangit, I was so close!
I got home that night and scoured the internet again...nope. Nothing else at all. The pumps are made of 100%, pure UnObtainiumSo, we made that pump work for the parade and a car show the next weekend by screwing a set screw coated in pipe dope and teflon tape into the weep hole. I should have just left it that way...
Anyway, the rebuilder took it back under warranty in late July/early August. This time, he had the pump for a MONTH, and we finally got the pump back yesterday. I put it in tonight, and, what do you know, THE PUMP STILL LEAKS.
We have another show in a week that I have to take the truck to, so I'm just going to go with the same approach with the set screw for now. But, uh...
Does anyone know where I can find a good pump and/or have any GOOD recommendations for rebuilders? I know of two other cores that I should be able to buy relatively cheap, so I'll have cores to send out in the interim...
Too long; didn't read: These pumps (and rebuild kits) are made of unobtainium, and I need one. Please help
