raw water pump rebuilt

[Tom Glennon]

Gentlemen: This past Spring, prior to splash, I had my raw water pump (Sherwood) rebuilt, as I noticed a lot of white salt deposits on the engine block and motor mount. While I was at it, I changed out the thermostat and cleaned and reconditioned the heat exchanger.  All went together well, yet I am still seeing that white tell tale sign of a weeping water pump.

I used a paper gasket material (one layer)  would two layers work? Or, should I just bite the bullet and buy a NEW water pump (Oberdorfer perhaps?)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Ray & Sandy Erps]

Hello Tom,

Does it look like it's leaking past the cover plate gasket, or through the weep hole?  Something I do before putting gaskets back on is sand the mating surfaces with a sanding block.  It removes all the little stuff that the scraper misses and it shines up the metal a bit so you can really see that the mating surfaces are clean.  I usually spread a thin coat of grease on the metal surfaces before I put my gasket on.  It helps the gasket stick and it helps protect the metal surfaces from corrosion.

Two gaskets should not be necessary if the mating surfaces are clean and flat and if your gasket material starts getting too thick, now you have too much clearance around the end of the water pump impellor that will reduce it's effectiveness.

If the leak seems to be coming from the weep hole, that's a whole nuther story.  That will require a seal replacement and as long as your in there, should probably replace the bearings too, as it is easy at that point and they are probably getting wet.

[Ron Hill]

Tom : If the water (salt stain) is coming out of the weep holes, I'll guess that the lip seal on the water side is cocked or the pump wall scared.  See my Mainsheet Tech Note article on pump rebuilding.
If the water is coming out of the face plate, then you'll need to make sure that the face plate and the pump mating surfaces are smooth.  Take some #400 wet/dry sand paper to shine up the surface.  NEVER use 2 gaskets!!   
A few thoughts.   

[Tom Glennon]

Thank you gentlemen for the input.  I had the pump rebuilt "professionally" as I mentioned, but to tell you the truth, I have suspicions about the quality of the service.  I guess I should pull it all apart, and begin anew!