With a 1988 F-150 original water pump; if the seal has a leak is it necessary to replace the entire water pump because of the fact that the seal is buiilt into the pump?

 

Are you talking about the seal to the timing cover or the seal from the back plate of the pump to the pump housing?

 

the seal that connects the hose to the pump

 

No seal there, just replace the hose perhaps?

 

I guess it's possible but lets see the pro's and cons of it.

I just recently changed my water pump on my 87 F-150 5L. Sure i'm guessing for you a seal is probably what you need to fix the problem but your water pump is original and has racked up a few miles on it so the bearings get worn and also the impeller. supposing you just change the seal and (example) your water pump bearings go on you, so then you may be at an inconvienient spot in the boonies strandedand with your truck overheated or sqwacking like a banshee or whatever the case may be. Also if you were to get a new pump you'd have a 1 year warantee on it, if its defective bring it back and no sweat get a new one. on the other hand yours could just crap out and you'd have to spend the money to get a pump and pay to get it put on (if you do it yourself you save a lil') and also the seal you cahnged would go to waste and also your $$


I can also understand some people don't have millions to chuck around, if all you can afford is a seal to get you through, then i'm all for it, but in the long run i would highly recomend you change the pump too.

Hope this helps