How in the hell do you take the water pump apart on a 348? I've got the new parts to rebuild it but can't figure out how the impeller shaft comes out. There's a set screw I removed where the pully normally would go thinking the shaft would just slide right out, but either it's frozen or it just doesn't feel like coming out today
I have been meaning to source bearing and seals for this pump. I never have done it. Do you have a source for seals and bearing? If so let me know. I have an old one in the garage and I will figure out how to take it apart and post pictures. I am pretty sure you need to press some part of it out
Did the pump leak before rebuilding? Mine didn't and I broke Rule #1 of auto repair, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Then I proceeded to break Rule #2, "Just put it all back together - it'll work!" A day after I had the engine back in, what appeared on the floor but a puddle of water/antifreeze. Water pump leak. Less than a week to go until a 2-day track weekend. I yanked the engine again and put in a rebuilt pump. This time I did what I should have done the first time - pressure tested the coling system to make sure there were NO LEAKS. That's how I made sure it was the water pump leaking and not something else when I pulled the engine for the second time in less than a week. I made a great working pressure test kit out of plastic pipe parts and highly recommend anyone do the same if they even touch the water pump. I made the track weekend and have not had a drop of ANY fluid (other than my own blood & sweat) on the floor in almost a year now. Bob
FBB, actually I had the new seal to replace. Not the bearing. I got it apart by pressing out the shaft. The bearing is about 2 inches long. resnow: No it wasn't leaking, but I had a new seal I put in it. I just got the motor in last night and I probably should have pressure tested it. We'll do a little praying soon and hope she doesn't leak. How did you construct your leak tester?
Where did you get the bearing? Does the shaft press out front to back or back to front? Do you have a non-ferrari source for the seal? For pressure testing you use a whole system coolant pressure testor you get those from snap-on they screw inot the radiator filler neck and you pump it up and hold pressure to check it.
fatbillybob, there is a guy on ebay that consistently sells 348 waterpumps for $199 with the exchange of your old one...he claims to use updated bearings and seals from what I have read from other f-chatters, it seems to be a good product..
I didn't have a new bearing, but by the size of the old bearing, I can't imagine needing a new one anytime soon. The pump presses out from the inside out, where the seal is, outwards. Beware, it's a MF to push out, because of the legnth of the bearing. I got the seal from Ricambi. tmobile, do you know where the guy is selling the WP's? Looked on ebay to no avail.
As requested.... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ORIGINAL-FERRARI-348-WATER-PUMP-2YR-WARRANTY-NO-RESERVE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ42606QQitemZ4621381226QQrdZ1
TMG - Do you know of anybody that has installed one of these? I don't doubt the pumps might be good, but I'm so wary of things on a 348 where failure = engine out. It just seems hard to believe that even a deep discount OEM pump which costs $700 can be knocked off for $200. Again, not knocking the guy, I just wish we had some real-world evidence of whether those pumps have actually survived 2+ years on a Ferrari which sees reasonably aggressive driving. -Daniel
We'll know soon enough. I just installed the 348 waterpump from East Coast Jaguar (i.e. the eBay guy above). I should have my engine re-installed by the end of this week...and then I'll be driving her 1,000 miles per month again. If that pump is no good, then I'm the official 348 Brotherhood guinnea pig.
ill have to find the thread, but i remember reading a while back that 1 or 2 fchatters had bought from this ebayer and said everything was running smooth... im sure it doesn't cost the guy much...since he uses the shells from previous customers.
What I meant was to pressure test your engine BEFORE you re-install it. That's why I made my own kit of parts (after I had pulled the engine for a second time). I'll get some photos together tonight and post them here tomorrow. Bob
You would be correct in saying that. The seal and the bearing wouldnt cost much. It would take around 1 hour or so to rebuild the pump,and he exchanges them. Too easy,as long as the seal and bearings are good quality, and he didnt stuff up putting in the seal,why wouldnt they last as long as a genuine ferrari waterpump?
As long as we're on the subject of 348 water pumps, I recently received a used one that I'll be rebuilding one of these days. Was surprised to see that the impeller was the old familiar straight vane brass one that the 308s used, instead of the plastic impeller the 328s used! FERRARI 348's right, rebuilding one of these should be just like rebuilding a 3x8 wp. About an hour, maybe less of bench time, & similar cost.
After a failed rebuild on my own, I purchased a rebuilt pump through Ricambi America which looked as good as a new one. Here is a picture of a cheap & simple pressure test kit I put together to make sure there were no leaks before reinstalling the engine. Just use your hose clamps to secure the plugs, fill the system with coolant then put no more than 3-5 psi into the system throught the tire valve. Credit for the kit has to go to ferrarioldman at Sport Auto. . Image Unavailable, Please Login
