I bought a old new water pump on eBay a few months it’s been working great never a leak, but today I pulled my timing cover off to replace the front main seal and after flushing out the whole timing cover, with water pump still attached, I saw one tiny little drip line coming out of the weep hole. Is that ok? I’m not really sure the weep holes purpose. If that means it is bad, what is the process like of rebuilding a water pump on a 55 olds super 88

 

Are you sure that you did not get water into the weep hole when you washed that area down? Ordinarily if there is coolant coming out, the seal is bad.

 

I’m pretty sure, think I noticed it before I pulled the timing cover. Do you need a machine press to put a new seal in?

 

If it isn't an active leak and only left a faint stain I'd leave it alone and take a "watch and wait" approach. Sometimes trying to correct an issue that isn't a real problem can make matters worse, it is a newer pump and the seal may have wept vs. leaked.

 

Use search syntax "ClassicOldsmobile.com" waterpump rebuild

This is entered in your browser search engine. Using "ClassicOldsmobile.com" xxxxx xxxxx returns better results than using the CO search feature.

Hope this helps.

 

that’s what I’m thinking too. My old pump used to drip down on the balancer and it was noticeable but this new one hasn’t done anything for the couple months I’ve had it

 

Sounds like a bad pump. I don't buy water pumps any more. I have seen to many new ones fail. I send them in to be rebuilt. I would rebuild it myself but I have never been able to locate the seals and bearings. I send them to "The Water Pump Man" in Michigan.

 

could be. Don’t know if I wanna send my pump to Michigan from New Mexico though. I saw a few rebuilds on eBay and I would do it but I think you need a machine press or something. The pump I have now has the clip on it just like how the manual describes, my other pump looked the same but no clip holding it in. I’d prefer to rebuild too so I don’t buy another bad one for 250 bucks

 

What I would do is put it back on and watch for colored anti freeze to drip. You seem very anxious to tear everything apart before you have fixed the last 3 or 4 problems. My advice is get the car running good first, then work on the issues that are detrimental to driving and safety. You will get lots of experience working on everything else, there will be much to learn coming up...Tedd

 

Watch what you ask for, Tedd. Chris now owns the service manual. Just kidding, Chris. Very happy you bought the service manual.

 

oh no I’m not gonna mess with the pump because I know I don’t have the tools, this pump is going back on today as well as the thermostat and I’ll keep an eye on it. I had some old debris in the block and cooling system so I had taken the thermostat out and added a flush kit but today I’ll see how well it runs now. Before, when I had the thermostat in, the temp gauge would never get above the quarter line on the gauge, mind you most of its running time is while parked but running for an hour should go above that. I’m cleaning all parts and area below that weep hole so I can if anything’s comes out. Before it was all cacked in mud and oil so you couldn’t tell what was leaking

 

haha no no your right I’m loving having the manual I’m getting into all sorts of fixes. Thanks guys!

 

If the cooling system is dirty look into CRC ThermoCure. It must be used with 100% water so don't use it when freezing temps are possible. Leave it in for a few days, it works really well.

 

I will for sure when it gets warmer out. On the bolts that go in to the timing cover, are they dipped in oil or thread sealer?

 

Not sure, honestly. I suspect it's a blind hole? If a blind hole I'd use either Teflon tape or a thread locker, if not I'd dip them & use nothing, torque to spec and call it a day. Is there a torque value section in your service manual or any mention of the torque values for installation of the timing cover? Always good to run a bolt into the hole (dry) several times, clean the bolt & blow out the hole(s) w/ compressed air, also.

 

I think Water Pump Man is $120 for a rebuild and comes back with a new gasket. Shipping both ways with a flat rate box would be under $40 so the rebuild with shipping would be less than anther replacement.