VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Question about a '28 water pump

Hi all,

I'm rebuilding the water pump for Lurch's '28 engine. While assembling, I noticed that the gap between the impeller and the baffle plate is roughly 3/32 inch. This is with the new bakelite washer in place (which is .060" thick).

Is the 3/32 gap too large? See the pic below.

Other threads on this site mention that the water pump works best when the impeller is close to the baffle plate.

Thanks for your thoughts, Dean

Yes, it works better with the gap between plate and impeller fairly small. Just remember that the spacer is likely to be worn down some due to roughness on the mating surfaces.

I forgot to mention that I am using all new components from an FS water pump rebuild kit.

That's why I am concerned about the gap.

One discrepancy between the new parts and the old parts is the thickness of the flange on the big bushing where it contacts the cast housing of the pump. The flange on the new bushing is .150 inch thick and the flange on the old part is .105 inch. Certainly the old part has been worn, but if the new flange were thinner, the impeller would be closer to the baffle plate.

Thanks, Dean

The proper thickness of the flange at the rear of the main water pump bush should be 0.125"

Thanks, CJP'S 29.

I'll follow up with the FS and report back.

Dean