Okay I have been battling this issue. The backstory - I built a custom roadster, some of you are aware of the build thread on here. It's the Oliver Roadster. In that custom roadster I used an 8el 337 out of a 1949 lincoln cosmo. The engine turned out to be a rebuild that runs like a top. The only issue is.... you guessed it, the water pump seals were both toast! Hardest part? You cannot buy rebuild kits for a 337 water pump. In 2025 a claimed rebuilt pump on ebay is about 250 dollars that would make it a 500+ dollar sollution after shipping. For those in the know, Skip Haney in Florida can rebuild them reusing your impeller and improvising another type of seal. He only runs 150 per pump. Now 300 bucks isnt crazy. I was beginning to think it was my only option and I was going to bite the bullet. Everyone in the know has told me ford made so many water pump seals that its dang near impossible to know the full part number a 337 used. Then I discovered this little gem... According to that, not only does the 337 share a water pump seal with a 223 I-6 but also the 239 and 256 Y-blocks likely all y blocks for that matter. This opens up the search quite a bit on rebuild kits with seals in them. It was also at this discovery that I realized I had unknowingly bought the exact right seal earlier in the week...go figure. Hope this info helps anyone looking to fix a 337 water pump. I will also add, the pulleys are different 8eq (big ford truck) to 8el (lincoln) the shaft presses out from the pulley side just like an 8ba and skips number is 941-505-9085 if you want him to rebuild you lr flathead water pump. I hear he improves cooling issues with standard flathead pumps quite a bit!
I dragged home one of these engines yesterday. Intact, sitting under a tarp for years and years. First thing I want to get a look at is the main and rod shells, crank journals, etc. Oliver, If you ever come back here, have you ever seen main bearing shells out there? Looks like maybe I can find rod bearings.
Occasionally you'll find em on fleabay. Better odds of finding a cheap 337 though. Theyre sitting around, 1 guy wants 2k for one the next guy wants 200 bucks. Keep an eye on marketplace. I do know where theres a parts motor, f7 truck. It'd be a chore to get em but possible
@oliver westlund one of the things that does a pump seal in is running or even turning it dry.... I always ***emble the seal, lubricating it with glycerin...you don't want to use any petroleum product on it... good luck with your rebuild, it looks like you have already gotten some...
I have a NOS pump for one of these, I think it is the right side. I don't have a 337 or think I ever will.
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