Water Pump
 

Bought my 29 A Sport Coupe already rebuilt. I now have a fairly hefty leak at the aft end of the water pump shaft.

Read what I could find on the FORUM but both "grease fittings" are dead ends leading me to believe this is a "leak-less" water pump. I've also read where even on the leak-less pumps you have to grease the aft grease fitting.

What have I got? (besides a leaky water pump)

Re: Water Pump
 

There are at least a few guys making leakless pumps and I've seem lots of them leak. I've also seen the bearings go out on some. I rebuilt my original pump exactly the way Ford built it, and it never leaked a drop in over 10 years. I still rebuild them the same way, except now I use the rear bushing with the double lip seal, which will do an even better job of keeping the coolant and grease separated.

Re: Water Pump
 

Has anyone else looked at the waterpump and given you an opinion.
We are guessing at solutions. What have you tried?
Bob

Re: Water Pump
 

I tried tightening the collar on the aft end and that worked for awhile. I fear the bearing or whatever is in there is shot.

I guess I'll have to take it off and replace it with a water pump that I know the history of. Ironically this car came with a small stash of parts which included another old water pump.

Re: Water Pump
 

And no Bob; No one else has looked at the pump.

Re: Water Pump
 

If you were able to tighten the packing nut somewhat, and were temporarily able to stop the leak, that is not a leakless pump. I would try a original style grease fitting in the packing end, and see if it will accept grease. While you are at it, you might as well try greasing the front support bearing also.

Re: Water Pump
 

My year old leakless water pump has a back up packing nut that can be used if it does leak someday. Also, the rear requires grease.

Re: Water Pump
 

The stainless shafts used these days are too soft. A leak-less pump doesn't stay that way for more than about 15-20,000 miles before the lip seal wears a groove in the shaft. The gland packing nut on them should have packing behind it and tightening the nut will work like the original pump for a while. The soft shaft wears quickly and you're back to square one pretty soon.
A pump built like Henry built them is not built like Henry built them because the shaft is so soft. Seems everybody has decided that stainless is best because it doesn't rust but they are not. The gland packing on a pump done like original quickly wears the shaft and the leak starts. A few years ago, there were pumps available with a modern ceramic seal in them. Does anybody have any info on those?
I have just fitted a modernish carbon seal to a pump for each of my cars. Haven't tried them yet but very hopeful of a good and durable pump.
A leakless pump that leaked cost me an engine rebuild. I'm not a fan of the so called leakless pumps that are about now. Contemplating making new pumps with ceramic seals.

Re: Water Pump
 

Synchro, you may want to contact Speedway Motors ([email protected]) as they reference ceramic seals for later model water pumps. I didn't see an offering for the Model A on the web site.

Re: Water Pump
 

Both are dead ends and just there for "looks". I used a scribe and found the bottom is rather shallow.

Re: Water Pump
 

Got it off and the collar will NOT come off! I am using a vise, chisel and hammer and while it is coming off slowly I am cutting the teeth off the collar. I do believe this pump is shot!

In retrospect I do not think I tightened the collar at all when I attempted to do so as there is no way I could have gotten the collar this tight by hand.

Got a pump on order.

Re: Water Pump
 

Take your spare pump apart. They are pretty simple but I would recommend doing a search for tips. Nothing wrong with learning what is the low down on original concepts that worked for 65-70 years. Also, you could save about $100.00. Too many folks go for the improvements of today and miss out on what it was really like back when.

Re: Water Pump
 

I had a kluged together http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201642 water pump that I saved with a rebuild kit and upgraded front bearing from Brattons. Like someone said I now understand how the pump works. I also used the bolts that look like studs & nuts.
30 - 31 DELUXE WATER PUMP REBUILD KIT #12740. $53.50
MODERN WATER PUMP BEARING AND SLEEVE #12700 $10.00

Re: Water Pump
 

I took apart the "spare" pump. Pretty simple really. There was just enough corrosion on the shaft and bearings/cavities to convince me that even after clean up I didn't want to put it in the car. New pump should be here any day and after installation I will know exactly what I have.

Re: Water Pump
 

New water pump is in and I'm back on the road! Thanks to everyone's help and advice.