Where to get water pump seals on 330

[kiwi330]

That little water pump problem from a while ago is almost sorted out. The slight problem is finding a new seal here in New Zealand.

The part is a GACO seal part number B 25343. Outer size 38 mm inner ring size 20 mm and shaft length 17mm. This is to fit a 330GT2+2 Type 209 V12.

Anybody know somewhere to get a or a few of these seals in the USA or for that matter anywhere in the world!

Cross posting this message on FerrariChat forum also.

[JonBrent]

I've a bunch here, if you go shopping:
http://www.jb330gt.com/LinksPage.htm

Brian (MotoB), do you guys still use Partsource for most engine bits?

hth, Jon

[kiwi330]

Thanks Jon

Took a look through most of the links there and couldn't find anybody listing the part on their websites but didn't take the time to contact all the companies.

I was kinda hoping that someone had reciently recon'd their water pump on a 330 and knew exactly the right people to contact. I've already spent many hours driving around looking for the seal in my home town and calling and faxing company up and down the country. These things are not a common part here in New Zealand!!

Rob

[Dave Payne]

Tom - It wasn't me. But a stainless spring sounds like a great idea.

Dave Payne

250 GT/E 4355


"I want to be like Tom".

[whturner]

The recent thread on seals/rebuild parts ended with the issue kind of unresolved. Since then my pump started leaking (well, maybe "leaks" is understated) when I gave it a real 90+ degree run with A/C on, and then parked it and let it idle to simulate traffic. Everything worked fine except for the sudden appearance of a lot of coolant when I shut it down.
It is almost certainly the spring, as Tom pointed out, since the leak goes away when the system is not under pressure.
Is there any update to this water pump thread?

Cheers
Warren

[Jimmyr]

With any water pump rebuilding issue it should be noted that the seal mating surfaces must be smooth and flat, caution not to remove too much material or the spring pressure will be lower yet. Also, DO NOT touch the seal faces or finger oil could prevent proper seating. Jim

[whturner]

Thanks Jimmy:
The pump has been rebuilt twice - by a well known Ferrari specialist who did the entire engine.
The first time the seal failed was during initial road testing - it was discovered the Ferrari source was selling an after-market kit which just did not have enought spring pressure.
The kit was then redone with some mods - one of which was to use a stronger spring.
Since then I have put about 1500 miles on the engine - no leaks until now.
And it still doesn't leak until the temperature and pressure comes up.

It appears I am not the only case of this type, and I am wondering how others have solved the problem, if the original Ferrari parts cannot be found.

Cheers
Warren

[Jimmyr]

Warren, be sure you have the proper radiator caps on the right places as many times a pressure cap is incorrectly placed on the radiator instead of the expansion tank. Also, on older cars I like to use a 4# cap as it is much kinder on older components like the water pump etc. Sure it doesn't raise the boiling point much, but it does take the stress off of the system. Jim

[whturner]

Jimmy The caps were OK - the pressure cap was on the expansion tank. I don't read Italian - so I don't know what pressure it is set for.
Going along with your comment - I am going to take a test drive run with no pressure to confirm the problem. (Just like a pre-war Ford V-8)
And tomorrow I will call my V-12 Specialist for advice.
Driving around in Scottsdale must be a kick in this weather.

Cheers
Warren[/i]

[Stephanm]

I overhauled a GTC engine recenty and replaced the seals with the common "suspect" seals. After 8,000 miles the seal started leaking. It would seem that the seals would leak from new until breaking in but it seems as though the industry problem according to numerous other shops is the spring somehow loose temper. Now I have a 512 BBI to replace the seals, Great!!

For $25 you can buy a complete Subaru Water Pump, i am thinging of buying one and dismantling them for the seals alone. as I have for some pre-war car pumps.

Steve

[whturner]

Hi Steve

Sounds like a research project!
What model Subaru has the right parts - and which pump parts?

Cheers
Warren

[JonBrent]

Hi Guys,

Brian posted some pictures of the different springs here:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89924

along with awful pictures of carnage when a leak occurs.

Also, I remember hearing/reading that there is a Mercedes cross reference to the vintage Ferrari water pump impellers, so there might be a lead there too.

Cheers, JB

[Rudy van Daalen Wetters]

Ok, misery loves company. The water pump on my newly rebuilt GTE motor with about 1000 miles on it just started to leak today as well!
Another reason why I will never sell my air cooled Fiat 500.

Mama Mia......


Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001 (add coolant)
1966 330GT s/n 8705

[SLM]

Rudy,
I thought I would join you. My seal started to leak after a 100 miles. The one I replaced had a smaller diameter spring than the one I installed. I was sure that the weak spring tension was the problem. Any yes I made sure the mating surface was perfectly flat. What's the solution ? I do know what I am doing. Well then again maybe I don't.

Another fun job to add to my work list.
Steve

[Rudy van Daalen Wetters]

Steve,

Like I mentioned, misery does love company. Can you tell me what the diameters of old and new springs are? Are they the same length? There should be a way to measure the tension of the two and see the difference. I have not tackled the pump yet, but will do so after the Monterey events. Had it not started to leak I would have taken the car to Monterey.

Rudy van Daalen Wetters
1963 GTE s/n 4001
1966 330 GT s/n 8705