WaterPump End-Play

Gary Gregory

Senior Member
Anyone ever use a waterpump shaft collar to fix the end-play ? Would I be better off building up the end of the shaft ? I'm thinking of using the collar at least until I get around to restoring the old gal.
 
I agree with Will and always use the collar on the pumps I rebuild. For one thing I don't know what head I will be using the pump on and with the collar it will fit any head correctly. I also like the square brass thrust washer rather than the steel teardrop thrust washer.
 
over 15,000 miles and most likely over 20,000 miles with a collar. and still NO LEAKS. oh oh....just jinxed myself. better pack an extra for French Lick.
 
I wrote an article 18 years ago in "The Restorer" (May/Jun'92) issue about installing the water pump shaft collar. I was working out in the barn on a Model A water pump at the time and had just seen the locking collars in a W.W.Graingers catalog the night before and came up with the idea just out of coincidence seeing the collars.....Michael Pawelek
 
Just did fan and new water pump, old pump had brass on end to make up in head, still moved about a 1/4 inch in and out, had to have the new aluminum two blade fan machined out to accomidate the collar so that it would tighten up, old steel fan would go right on, not the new fan, couple of photo's, Bruce
 

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Bruce, If your Model A is a "driver" and not placed in judging competitions the collar can be placed on the shaft next to the packing nut and that way the fan hub does not need to be modified. I use a leather water pump grease cover on my long haul Model A and the collar has worked well in that place on the shaft for over 18 years now.
 
I approached the water pump play problem differently ---many years ago I drilled and tapped the worn thrust pad in the head for a stainless bolt, on my head just the thickness of the bolt head was enough to make a perfect fit, normal rotation turns in a tightening direction so there is no problem with it coming loose.

I have not touched the water pump for 25 years,--other than grease, I give the rear bushing a 1 pump shot of grease about 2 times a year, the front gets more.
 
Will I need to drill or grind out a spot on the shaft for the set screw to hold the collar or will it stay in place without ?
 
I don't recognize the front grease zert? Looks like a back zert to me. A good looking engine compartment always nice to see a nice job.
 
The collars I install come with a teflon washer that goes between the collar and the front bearing/casting. No trouble fitting it under the fan pulley.
 
The water pump shaft is 7/8" dia I think and a two piece collar can be purchased at Ace Hardware for 7/8" shafts...nice thing about a split collar is the pump can say together. But I'm not sure about pushing the collar up into the pulley recess and tightening up the allen screws

skip.
 
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