The Ford Barn

Thodge · 05-07-2024, 08:36 PM

My water pump is seeping from the packing and needs some attention. It looks like there are a few different options out there for rebuilding or replacing it. I’m wondering if it’s worth going to one of the leakless/greaseless pumps, rebuilding with a leak less kit, or just repack the original. I’m wondering what some of your experiences have been with any of the options and if you have any suggestions. The car does have an alternator and I did see the modern bearing pumps being advertised as holding up better in that case, whether it’s true I’m not sure.

JayJay · 05-07-2024, 08:46 PM

Easiest, and you can do it without removing the water pump from the head, is to add in another layer of the leaded packing and see if it works. Don't remove the old, put the new on top of it. If that doesn't work and you have to remove the old water pump, I'd suggest that you either rebuild or buy a rebuilt one with the leakless packing and a new stainless steel shaft. Your call whether you want to go with the bearing nose or not, but the front bushing is where my last one failed.

You're not going to break the bank leakless vs. not.

sunnyorm · 05-08-2024, 01:52 AM

my model a mentor bought 1 of those leakless ones; said stay away from them.
imo/his opinion

nkaminar · 05-08-2024, 06:15 AM

The original water pumps always leak a few drops and need constant tightening. Special water proof grease has to be used. I really like my leakless water pump.

I saw somewhere that the corners of the impeller can be cut off to reduce the flow. There is some thinking that the flow of the original impeller is too much, especially when running a engine at a higher rpm.

Robert/Texas · 05-08-2024, 06:26 AM

I installed leakless waterpumps in both of my '28 A's at least 10 years ago and have never had any problems with either of them.

Thodge · 05-08-2024, 11:15 AM

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That’s a good point about trying to repack it first and see if it holds. The packing nut is bottomed right out and it’s still dripping a fair bit. I can live with a few drops but this is a bit much.

Bill Cilker · 05-08-2024, 10:00 PM

Thodge
One thing that will help make your decision on whether to replace it or not is the water pump shaft. Back off the packing nut completely and slide it towards the fan. Now, look at the shaft where the packing rides. How much is it warn down? If it is warn more than about 1/16" then I would replace the shaft. If it is less then you can probably put 2 pieces of the round lead packing in the packing nut. I always put some grease on the shaft and run the packing nut back and forth through it, before I tighten it. Tighten the nut until the dripping stops.

CT Jack · 05-08-2024, 10:22 PM

Thodge, if you like tinkering with things then rebuild your old pump. I like to spend as much time driving my "A" and try to minimize having to fixing or repairing things. I have had a leakless pump for at least 10 years and had to do 0 maintenance.

Thodge · 05-09-2024, 05:19 AM

Thanks for the tips. I’ll check the pump shaft for wear and go from there.

katy · 05-09-2024, 08:17 AM

Tighten the packing nut slowly when the engine is running, not when it's stopped.

05-07-2024, 08:36 PM	#1
Thodge Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2024 Location: CT Posts: 19	Water Pump Options My water pump is seeping from the packing and needs some attention. It looks like there are a few different options out there for rebuilding or replacing it. I’m wondering if it’s worth going to one of the leakless/greaseless pumps, rebuilding with a leak less kit, or just repack the original. I’m wondering what some of your experiences have been with any of the options and if you have any suggestions. The car does have an alternator and I did see the modern bearing pumps being advertised as holding up better in that case, whether it’s true I’m not sure.

05-07-2024, 08:46 PM	#2
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 1,131	Re: Water Pump Options Easiest, and you can do it without removing the water pump from the head, is to add in another layer of the leaded packing and see if it works. Don't remove the old, put the new on top of it. If that doesn't work and you have to remove the old water pump, I'd suggest that you either rebuild or buy a rebuilt one with the leakless packing and a new stainless steel shaft. Your call whether you want to go with the bearing nose or not, but the front bushing is where my last one failed. You're not going to break the bank leakless vs. not. __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan

05-08-2024, 01:52 AM	#3
sunnyorm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 361	Re: Water Pump Options my model a mentor bought 1 of those leakless ones; said stay away from them. imo/his opinion

05-08-2024, 06:15 AM	#4
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 4,002	Re: Water Pump Options The original water pumps always leak a few drops and need constant tightening. Special water proof grease has to be used. I really like my leakless water pump. I saw somewhere that the corners of the impeller can be cut off to reduce the flow. There is some thinking that the flow of the original impeller is too much, especially when running a engine at a higher rpm. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

05-08-2024, 06:26 AM	#5
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 687	Re: Water Pump Options I installed leakless waterpumps in both of my '28 A's at least 10 years ago and have never had any problems with either of them.

05-08-2024, 11:15 AM	#6
Thodge Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2024 Location: CT Posts: 19	Re: Water Pump Options Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) That’s a good point about trying to repack it first and see if it holds. The packing nut is bottomed right out and it’s still dripping a fair bit. I can live with a few drops but this is a bit much.

05-08-2024, 10:00 PM	#7
Bill Cilker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Milpitas, CA Posts: 401	Re: Water Pump Options Thodge One thing that will help make your decision on whether to replace it or not is the water pump shaft. Back off the packing nut completely and slide it towards the fan. Now, look at the shaft where the packing rides. How much is it warn down? If it is warn more than about 1/16" then I would replace the shaft. If it is less then you can probably put 2 pieces of the round lead packing in the packing nut. I always put some grease on the shaft and run the packing nut back and forth through it, before I tighten it. Tighten the nut until the dripping stops. __________________ Bill Cilker, Jr Unrestored 190A Victoria 45B, 160B & 189A Victoria Association President

05-08-2024, 10:22 PM	#8
CT Jack Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hebron, CT Posts: 436	Re: Water Pump Options Thodge, if you like tinkering with things then rebuild your old pump. I like to spend as much time driving my "A" and try to minimize having to fixing or repairing things. I have had a leakless pump for at least 10 years and had to do 0 maintenance.

05-09-2024, 05:19 AM	#9
Thodge Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2024 Location: CT Posts: 19	Re: Water Pump Options Thanks for the tips. I’ll check the pump shaft for wear and go from there.

05-09-2024, 08:17 AM	#10
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,071	Re: Water Pump Options Tighten the packing nut slowly when the engine is running, not when it's stopped. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!