Water pump lateral motion?

[Daddysearly30pickup]

Hello All,

Noticed today water pump has about 1/8 inch lateral motion when running.
Do I worry about something coming loose on impeller end and fan eating the radiator?
No leaks so tightening packing doesn't seem like the solution.
Figure someone here has seen similar and knows source of motion.

Thank you,
Tal

 

[chrs1961815]

That play is caused by the water pump impeller wearing the thrust surface inside the head. This is only an issue with original heads. To counter it, the vendors sell a collar that secures the shaft. The movement on it could disturb the packing and cause a leak.

https://www.brattons.com/water-pump-shaft-collar.html

 

[Bob Bidonde]

Lateral motion is sideways, not fore-aft. Fore-aft motion is axial. Unless the pump casting broke, I do not believe 1/8" lateral motion is possible. As "chrs1961815" indicates, the problem is axial motion likely due to a worn shaft stop in the cylinder head, and I will add running an original style pump.

Tal's problem can be solved by installing a modern press-fit bearing in the front of his pump, or replacing his pump with one of the leakless versions that has a captive shaft. A temporary band-aide is a shaft collar.