Flathead Water Pump Advice Please

3

31 coupe

Member
Hello All,
I'm collecting/buying parts for a 8BA flathead to go in my '31 coupe here in Australia and I want to buy a pair of new 8RT type water pumps with the wide belt pulley and fitted with all of the modern style bearings and seals etc. I see Speedway has two types, one on special ???, Bob Drake also has similar and I'm sure there are other suppliers too. Can I please request some advice on the prefered source, I only want to buy once and not have to replace them in a years time because they're ....., you know. I have an Aussie buddy in the US at the moment collecting parts for me.
Thanks in advance for your help, if you don't want to go public please PM me.
Best regards, GB.
 
Personally, if I were looking for reliability and proper fit. I'd get a pair of Ford 8RT pumps and have them rebuilt by a reputable rebuilder. That way, you KNOW they will fit right and you KNOW they're made of the right materials, etc.,etc. I've had good luck following my own advice. The new pumps may be the best thing ever but as long as good cores are available, why chance it? I've heard too many horror stories. FWIW
 
I'm more than happy with my Bob Drake pumps. I've heard stories a while back about them not fitting properly, but mine fit perfectly. I'm running a 13lb pressure cap on a Mustang radiator, and they have never leaked a drop.
 
I fitted Speedway pumps to my F1 8BA rebuild at the beginning of the year. They appear to be very well made, fitted perfectly and have no leaks with 1500 miles to date. I've also been running an original set of 8BA pumps on my other engine since 1973; I've never touched them and they don't leak either.
 
Have your friend here find the pumps you want and have them re-done by Skips Pumps, the originals will be better than any "new" overseas pair. I have already been down that road.:D Have him get you a 49-53 distributor and have Bubba's Ign. set it up with the electronic treatment
 
Sounds like you have a lot of good choices with good endorsements. I read in the December issure of Rod and Custom that H&H Flatheads uses Speedway water pumps. This no cost spared company which insures its products uses quality components.
 
31 coupe ...............................
Your best bet is to get an ORIGINAL Ford pair, rebuilt by Skip, of Florida !
MIKE :)
 
rebuild kits are available at Job Lot in New York City telephone718 468 8585. they are about $28.00 each. Work. great, modern seals and bearings. have been running them in my 8BA for years. They ship world wide
 
I've rebuilt several original truck style pumps with good results. Got some crappy gaskets with one pair of rebuild kits that leaked through them all around the pump but other than that a lot cheaper than new pumps.
 
To reduce the possibility of shaft leaks with some of these rebuild kits, check to make sure that the ends of the wound springs are fairly flat against the rubber shaft seals. If not, the spring ends should be filed or ground flat. Since the rebuild springs are often only galvanized steel, a bit of grease should be used on the filed surface under the seal.

Jack E/NJ
 
The Speedway pumps are great I have had them on two of my 34s for years. Never had a problem. They cool my blown flathead in my three window Dont waste your time with a rebuild unless you need a part number on them.
 
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