My top motor/pump is not working. Before I buy a new one, has anyone ever rebuilt theirs. Looking at the manual, it looks fairly straight forward. If so, where did you get the rebuild kit and what other issues did you have? This is for a 72 cutlass.

 

when you say it is not working do you mean that the motor doesnt run or it runs but the top doesnt move? they are pretty durable and rarely go out. they do develop leaks and if the fluid is low it wont move the top.

 

Yes, the pump has started leaking fluid. I have only had the car a little over a year the top did not work when I bought it. I replaced the hoses. It worked for about a month or two, then it started leaking.

 

if it is leaking at the pump then I believe some one makes a kit for it. there is not much to them. there is a seal for the shaft motor and a o-ring between the resevoir and motor. if it is leaking at the cylinder you may be able to take it to a place that rebuilds hydraulics to get the seals replaced.

 

I just had the motor in my 88 replaced today (very different than yours) these people had everything in stock http://www.hydroe.com/

 

Thanks for the link. That's who I bought the hoses from. They had a seal replacement kit for 15 bucks.

 

The one in my 72 Cutlass leaked when I bought the car 17 years ago. I took it apart and went to the parts store and got some o-rings. I put it back together and it has never leaked since. It is pretty simple and you really only have a little time and the price of the o-rings at risk. If it runs ok, I am betting you can fix it.

 

Now I remember who it was, Redoldsman did his.
I was just looking at O rings at Sears hardware in the plumbing section, got little boxes with all kinds of them.
Have to find the right size to replace the ones that seal or cushion? the button on the outside door handles, need to take a handle next time.
I'll publish the size to enrich the knowledge base of all of humanity when I find out, unless sombody else knows it already?

 

Ok, I got the seal replacement kit. I changed all the seals today. I reinstalled pump/motor,bled the system (no leaks). But the pump still does not work for more than 6 secs then the circut breaker trips. There is no improvement. What next? Suggestions please.

 

This is with the top frame unattached to the cylinders.

 

I have an extra original pump from my 72 , 100.00 shipped. It worked great but my body guy busted the hoses so I put the pump and hoses from my parts car on it instead
Beats 229.00 for a chinese repop

 

if it trips the breaker that fast the motor is loading down. if there is nothing binding the top frame then it is in the motor. since it runs the windings are probably ok. I would take the motor off and find an old school electric motor shop. they can probably rebuild it for cheap money if it only needs cleaning, brushes and bearings.

 

Thanks for the info. I was thinking that was the issue. I am hoping that I can find someone local. I did find a company in Calif that will do it for 139 bucks.

 

check the yellow pages for an electric motor shop but mostly ask around. someone will know who can fix it. usually if it is not burnt yet they can be fixed cheap. if the windings are burnt then it is often cheaper to replace it. a good electric motor shop will know right away.

 

Have you tried running the pump with the lines disconnected to see if it trips the breaker? Is it possible the cylinders are stuck causing the pump to load up? The 100 bucks for the pump (including shipping) from MJAKS462 sounds like a good deal to me.

 

Nope, I have not tried that. i will do that tommorrow just to see.