'33 Model B Water Pump Debacle - What do you think?

[pavilla]

I’d appreciate thoughts on what I’m dealing with and the best way to proceed. I purchased a 1933 Model B pickup (Model 46 engine) from a friend whose Dad restored the vehicle in the 1990s. He was a pretty accomplished mechanic, having restored several early Fords and he also built and raced cars. The truck was used regularly until Dad passed away about 12 years ago. I’ve been going through various aspects of the truck. I took the head off to address a possible failed head gasket. Then took off the water pump to have the head cleaned/resurfaced. I noticed signs of a leak from the packing nut on the water pump and decided to investigate. Saw a couple Youtube videos that made it look pretty easy to pop the fan loose and slide out the shaft. Should have left well enough alone. I broke the threaded end of the shaft pounding on it (I did have a nut on it). Had a heck of a time getting the fan loose after that, but finally did get it off with some heat. The shaft did not slide out, because there is a sealed bearing in the front of the pump and there were two retaining clips that clipped into grooves that had been machined into the shaft to hold the shaft in place. I got those off after about an hour of profanity and was able to tap the shaft loose from the front bearing and what appears to be some kind of bushing at the back of the pump. The greaseway under the zirc fitting for the front bearing is plugged with silicone, which appears to be a deliberate seal since there is a sealed bearing there. At the rear bushing, there is silicone around the base of that bushing where it meets the housing, so I’m not sure what that indicates. I did some pretty good banging on the shaft to get the fan off and then while trying to get the shaft out of the pump housing before I realized there were tiny retaining clips on the shaft. The front bearing seems okay despite the abuse, but it does move back and forth about a quarter inch in the housing. So my first questions are, has anyone seen a similar sealed bearing (if that’s what it is) in the front of the housing and should I consider leaving it be as an improvement over a rebuild kit bearing (with old style bearing)? Is the bushing setup at the back of the housing a custom setup? I’ve ordered a rebuild kit from Dave Renner and my preference is to use those parts to rebuild the pump. But, I’m a little concerned that there is something else “custom” about the rear bushing and if I press that out, I’m going to find a modification to the housing that will not be compatible with a new leakless bearing.