I'm about to embark on a rebuild of my vacuum powered OE washer pump (in the glass jar). I have the rebuild kit in hand.

Is there any interest in me posting this rebuild (I've never done one, but I'm hoping for success).

If nobody is interested, I won't waste the time taking pics and posting, but if there's an interest I will.

Will start tonight most likely

 

Hell ya - please post the process. I'm certain there will by many who will appreciate the details and tribulations. I'm guessing this is for the 1955 model cars?

 

Yeah..should have clarified...for the '55

 

Please go ahead and post it. I wonder if the '55 pump is the same as my '53? The pump and glass jar was missing when I got my car, but I plan on replacing them. However, I don't understand why replacement glass jars and lids are so expensive...I've seen prices in Fusicks and USA parts supply range from $50-$100 just for the lid. Of course, I would still need to find the pump, which I haven't seen reproduced. Oh well, if I didn't enjoy scavenger hunting then I wouldn't be restoring an old car!

 

Please, please do! I have a '55 Cad which I suspect has the same pump, and it needs rebuilding. Photos, parts suppliers and text most welcomed. Thanks for offering to assist your fellow ol' ride enthusiasts!

 

By all means, Gordon, do post it. Look at it this way. Where else except here would you ever find a photo-documented thread on rebuilding one of those? And like Dave points out, washers on all the 40s-50s GM cars were basically the same, so a lot of folks could benefit.

Besides, someone might even hijack it and post over at AACA, and there's tons of folks there who could use it. I don't remember ever seeing a thread on a GM washer rebuild there.

 

Sounds like an overwhelming "yes" - so it's a go.

I'll do my best to start tonight.

Just as a preliminary, I already have the kit - from Fusick - WPRK507 - $49. Lots of seals in there.

Note that the spring is separate - I have not purchased the spring. I believe you only need to replace it if it's missing or rotted (many rot from water sitting, unused in the bottom of the jar once the the system becomes inoperable)

Note this also, as a preliminary step, I've already replaced all the vacuum lines for the system.

Attached is my rudimentary sketch of the setup.

 

Looking forward to this also even though I have replaced my vacuum wipers with electric, knowledge is golden ... Tedd

 

I believe that system was used as far back as 1950.
stetzie

 

OK - and we're off..

After replacing all the vacuum lines, I took to the pump assembly itself.

I had four units - one from the car, one from my 2 door restoration project, and two that were in the trunk of a car I parted out.

It appears that one is a later model - multiple ports on the top - I know Olds changed in 1958 (based on Fusick's catalog) so I'm assuming it is either that, or another brand car - anyone can ID it maybe I can find it a new home. Upon disassembly I found that the internals, including the spring, are very different.

So that left me 3 to disassemble and inspect.

I popped the retaining ring off the housings and found that 2 of the 3 springs were rotted and broken, but one - that coincidentally had windshild washer fluid sitting in the jar (who knows how old) was as good as new.

Now I understand why Fusick sells the springs - I'm going on the assumption that they're good unless they're rotted.

So, a couple of quick photos just to see the basic setups. All I've got for right now.

 

This process is complete and went very well - an hour and you're done.

I'll post in a few replys to simplify the photos

First, I removed the upper portion of the pump (actually the upper vacuum housing) so I could clean up and paint the cap. Keep in mind that this is my daily, and not a show car, so the level of my detailing was kept to a minimum.

Inside the upper chamber is a small valve that is comprised of a brass shaft with a seal, and a spring inside the brass vacuum inlet that is all retained with a small piece of fiberboard.

This is attached with a rivet that must be drilled out.

The small washer under the rivet must be reused, as does the fiberboard and the brass shaft.

The spring, brass shaft seal, and rivet (via a supplied brass screw) are replaced

 

After the rivet is drilled out, you remove the brass shaft, replace the seal, insert a new spring in the brass vacuum inlet, reinstall the fiberboard, and replace the rivet with the provided brass screw using the original washer.

That completes the upper vacuum chamber.

Note: I washed all the components with dish detergent prior to this process. In addition, all rubber compenents were sprayed with silicone spray lubricant during reassembly.

 

After the upper vacuum chamber is completed, the lower pump housing must be disassembled by drilling out two rivets (which are again replaced with brass screws provided in the kit)

There is a diaphragm inside the lower pump that is replaced.

Make sure the pickup tube here is nice and clean - mine was clogged solid with years of sediment and sludge. A pipe cleaner and some soap & water is all you need.

Replace the diaphragm (lubed with spray silicone) and reassemble the lower pump housing using the brass screws. Very easy to do.

 

After the lower pump assembly is reassembled, there are two seals on the main spring plunger that are replaced.

In addition, there is a small (pen-like) spring in the kit that is also replaced on the larger spring lower base.

From there, it's simply reassemble the lower pump housing / plunger & spring assembly into the upper vacuum chamber.

I reassembled my cap using pop rivets (again, not a show car - daily driver) and bench tested with a vacuum pump - works famously.

I also reinstalled in the car and I have to say that this could be the most fun aspect of my car now - the little vacuum flow you hear when you press the button on the wiper switch - the way it keeps squirting even after you release the button (until all the vacuum is exhausted) -

I would highly recommend this job - very simple - basically need a drill with a 1/8" bit, and a screwdriver & a can of spray silicone. Posted this earlier, but the kit I purchased was from Fusick - there may be other suppliers, buy my experience is based on his kit.

 

Great job, very helpful. Anyone know where a replacement jar would be available?
stetzie

 

Fusick has the jars ($54.50) and the lids ($59) - new

 

Thanks, I'll make a note of it.
stetzie

 

A mighty fine tutorial. Love the annotated pics. A great job! Thanks, it is appreciated.

 

GOD I hate this!!! It is so easy, now I have to go out to the shop and fix mine...

 

Great Job Gordon, I might go ahead and fix mine even though I can't use it....Tedd

 

Looked at the vac. pump rebuild. Great info. Mine had the pump, but the jar (of course) was gone. Found one for a Pontiac at the fea market. It is little shorter so I had to shorten the pickup tube a mite. The jar had the Pontiac pump, but it was a sad sight. I also have changed to elect wipers, but I think I can still use the spray pump to deliver the washer fluid. Apperciate all the informative work you do.

 

Hello Gordon;
Great job detailing this. My car came without the pump but had a rebuild kit in the glove box and a new jar and lid under the hood.
Now where can I find a pump????

Mark

 

This is a good old thread but here is the complete setup if someone is still looking on E bay NOS.....http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-51-52-53-...0cce44&vxp=mtr

 

Thanks Tedd;
I saw that one and some others. I only need the pump portion in the jar and I would rather not pay $220 for a complete unit. One of these days I may stop finding things to fix up…

Mark

 

I found one a little less pretty and allot more economical on ebay. I ordered a new spring for it and with the rebuild kit I already have should be good to go...

 

If you're patient, they do come up on e-bay from time to time at reasonable prices. I found a good one, with the jar and bracket, for 60 bucks last year...