The Ford Barn

Steve Plucker · 09-10-2016, 12:44 PM

I installed a Leakless Waterpump quite a few years ago, can not remember when, and it is still holding up.

With that being said, I see that some pumps which are "leakless" do not say one way or the other if grease is needed in the rear bearing but some kits advertise that NO grease is ever needed.

It has been so long I do not remember what I have or don't have. That being said, I wonder if I shopuld keep well enough alone OR shoot some grease to the rear bearing?

Hmmmmmm.

Pluck

Dick M · 09-10-2016, 01:08 PM

One version of the leakless water pump is one that has been machined to accept sealed bearings both front and back. This pump does not need to be greased.
Another version of the leakless water pump is a rebuild kit which has seals in the rear bushing. It has the stock front bearing and sleeve. This kit does not require machine work on your water pump housing. This rebuild kit will require greasing in both the front and rear of the pump.

It would seem to me that you have the sealed bearing version because you stated you have not greased the pump in years. The only way I know of to tell which version you have is to pull the pump and look.

Fred K-OR · 09-10-2016, 01:32 PM

I have installed two leakless water pumps on both of my rigs. If I remember correctly the grease fittings showing looked "fake" as far as looking like a grease fitting either old type or new type. So I am assuming they do not take grease.

mantta · 09-10-2016, 04:12 PM

I have been running a leakless pump that I converted myself for 11 years now. I have not added water to the radiator since then either. I give the front and rear bearing a minute shot of grease every spring.

Synchro909 · 09-10-2016, 08:15 PM

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I've given up on the so called leakless pumps that are available now. The stainless steel shafts are too soft, the lip seal wears a groove in it and it's all over. 15,000-20,000 miles is all you get. That's only about 2 years for me.
I've just converted 3 pumps to take a modern seal with a carbon ring running on the back of the housing. The seal is pressed onto the shaft in front of the impeller, the back of the bush is machined down a little to give space for the seal and the carbon ring runs on the newly machined end of the bronze bush. I put a ball race in the front and run the original bush at the back. I've shown my work to specialists and they agree it will work well for a looong time. I only finished doing it a few days ago so I haven't run any of them yet but soon!
A few years ago, there were pumps made in the US with ceramic seals in them and a ball race front and back. That would be the best way to go but more expensive as a new core would have to be cast and machined. I haven't ruled out making enough for myself this way in he future.
Does anybody have contact info for the people who made those pumps in the US a few years ago?

09-10-2016, 12:44 PM	#1
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	Leakless Waterpumps... I installed a Leakless Waterpump quite a few years ago, can not remember when, and it is still holding up. With that being said, I see that some pumps which are "leakless" do not say one way or the other if grease is needed in the rear bearing but some kits advertise that NO grease is ever needed. It has been so long I do not remember what I have or don't have. That being said, I wonder if I shopuld keep well enough alone OR shoot some grease to the rear bearing? Hmmmmmm. Pluck

09-10-2016, 01:08 PM	#2
Dick M Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ukiah, CA Posts: 477	Re: Leakless Waterpumps... One version of the leakless water pump is one that has been machined to accept sealed bearings both front and back. This pump does not need to be greased. Another version of the leakless water pump is a rebuild kit which has seals in the rear bushing. It has the stock front bearing and sleeve. This kit does not require machine work on your water pump housing. This rebuild kit will require greasing in both the front and rear of the pump. It would seem to me that you have the sealed bearing version because you stated you have not greased the pump in years. The only way I know of to tell which version you have is to pull the pump and look.

09-10-2016, 01:32 PM	#3
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Re: Leakless Waterpumps... I have installed two leakless water pumps on both of my rigs. If I remember correctly the grease fittings showing looked "fake" as far as looking like a grease fitting either old type or new type. So I am assuming they do not take grease. __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster

09-10-2016, 04:12 PM	#4
mantta Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Keweenaw Bay, MI (Michigan's Upper Peninsula) Posts: 218	Re: Leakless Waterpumps... I have been running a leakless pump that I converted myself for 11 years now. I have not added water to the radiator since then either. I give the front and rear bearing a minute shot of grease every spring.

09-10-2016, 08:15 PM	#5
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Leakless Waterpumps... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've given up on the so called leakless pumps that are available now. The stainless steel shafts are too soft, the lip seal wears a groove in it and it's all over. 15,000-20,000 miles is all you get. That's only about 2 years for me. I've just converted 3 pumps to take a modern seal with a carbon ring running on the back of the housing. The seal is pressed onto the shaft in front of the impeller, the back of the bush is machined down a little to give space for the seal and the carbon ring runs on the newly machined end of the bronze bush. I put a ball race in the front and run the original bush at the back. I've shown my work to specialists and they agree it will work well for a looong time. I only finished doing it a few days ago so I haven't run any of them yet but soon! A few years ago, there were pumps made in the US with ceramic seals in them and a ball race front and back. That would be the best way to go but more expensive as a new core would have to be cast and machined. I haven't ruled out making enough for myself this way in he future. Does anybody have contact info for the people who made those pumps in the US a few years ago? __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.