To Rebuild or Not to Rebuild

[DEMOMAN]

I have a 78 MCI 8 with an 8V71N.  I have the "Standing" water pump on it and it is leaking out of the weep hole. 

     I can get a rebuild kit for under $100 and do it myself or I can get a remanufactured for almost $300.  I talked to a guy that used to rebuild Detroit water pumps and he said that if I hadn't done them before, they could be tricky.  He said that there is a ceramic seal that can be fragile to work with.

     My mechanical ability is very high so I am not seeing why this would be any different than any other project I have taken on before.

     Am I biting off more than I can chew?  Has anyone rebuilt one before?

Thanks,

DEMOMAN   

[luvrbus]

If you have a manual they are not all that bad you can replace the seal with the pump on the engine just cannot replace the shaft that is usually bad also,300 is not a bad price for a water pump DD unless you catch a sale are close to 500

good luck

[DEMOMAN]

I have the unit off the bus because I was replacing all of the hoses in the cooling system.  I will have to check the shaft as well as the seals.

DEMOMAN

[luvrbus]

You will need a dial indicator when reinstalling the pump the gear backlash from the pump to the engine has to be set between .001 and .006

good luck

[thomasinnv]

I rebuilt mine earlier this year. Replaced everything but the housing for around $67 in parts. (all seals, shaft, impeller, etc.)

[DEMOMAN]

Where did you get the parts from?  I have only seen a kit from DD for $100.

Thanks,

DEMOMAN

[luvrbus]

There is a guy with a Ebay store that sell the kits with new impeller and shaft for 48 bucks plus shipping parts number 23506366

good luck