Ever See a Water Pump Like This?

[Dollar Bill]

Interesting concept - Wonder why it didn't catch on?

EBay Item 371902125490

[JOHN CT]

I've had water pumps like that in the past. I was told they were for airplanes if the seal starts to leak the windshield won't get wet. I don't know if it's true or not but it sounds good to me

[captndan]

Originally Posted by JOHN CT

I've had water pumps like that in the past. I was told they were for airplanes if the seal starts to leak the windshield won't get wet. I don't know if it's true or not but it sounds good to me

Doubtful, airplanes since the Jenny's are air cooled.

[Benson]

In 1928 there was the Pietenpol airplane that used a Model A engine mounted backwards in the air frame.

It was a homebuilt model and there still are a number of them flying today.

After Oct, 1929 the Depression made a cheap airplane popular.

http://community.pressenter.net/~apietenp/

[Dollar Bill]

I'm not a pilot so this is a completely novice question; Wouldn't the lack of straight ahead visibility on the Pietenpol airplane be a problem?

[frank mcdaniels]

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Visibility was a problem on the Pietenpol. Mostly the radiator was in the way. You had to get used to landing and taking off looking out the side of the plane.Once up and level in the air it was easier to see out the front. When Lindberg crossed the Atlantic in his Ryan airplane he had the same problem. Frank

[Benson]

Lindberg had same problem in the air ... so much so that he had a periscope installed in the plane to look over the front gas tank.

And from the book and movie he looked out the window alot also.

Another plane with front vision problem, on the ground, was the P51 Mustang with the long Merlin or Allison engine up front ...

As a kid I remember when the P51s landed at the airport next door that pilots always moved on the ground in a series of "S" turns so they could see in front.

Once the tail came up on takeoff and in the air it was easier to see in front.

[Mark in MT]

I have run one of these for 25000 miles. Never leaked a drop. Mine has 3 impellers, 2 about half length and the other is gone. It doesn't so much pump the water as gently stir it on the way o the radiator.

[ed thibodeau]

There was a pietenpol built that had the engine in upside down with a lowered oil pan in an article in the Secrets magazine, probably had a sump pump for the oil like a radial engine.

[1955cj5]

Originally Posted by captndan

Doubtful, airplanes since the Jenny's are air cooled.

There are/were lots of liquid cooled aircraft...anything with an Allison or Merlin...

P-51, P-38, P-40, Spitfire and others....

[JohnLaVoy]

They were an aftermarket pump sold by various dealers. Had one on my coupe when I got it in 61.

[gweilbaker]

What does it look like under the cover?

[Mark in MT]

If I remember correctly, there is a bushing in the rear, bearing in the front, with a spring and a thrust bearing to add tension to the mechanical seal. Mine was just a cast ring that runs on the front surface of the rear bushing. The whole inside of the housing is filled with chassis grease. Works great.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by captndan

Doubtful, airplanes since the Jenny's are air cooled.

Where do some of you guys come-up with this stuff? Curtiss JN-4s (Jennys) have a water-cooled Curtiss OX-5 engine. If you even bother to take a quick peek, you can't mistake the radiator and shell, AND radiator cap in the picture. DD

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by Benson

In 1928 there was the Pietenpol airplane that used a Model A engine mounted backwards in the air frame.

It was a homebuilt model and there still are a number of them flying today.

After Oct, 1929 the Depression made a cheap airplane popular.

http://community.pressenter.net/~apietenp/

In the 30s, the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce issued a call for bids to build a "$700 everyman's airplane". One of the entries was powered by a Plymouth 6, also mounted backward. Here's the story (including some Ford references) of the Plymocoupe, aka SE-AS-KA, and its sad end:

http://www.plymouthbulletin.com/plane.htm

[eagle]

When your flying an airplane you don't look straight out the windshield like a car. I've ridden in a Pietenpol. Didn't even notice the radiator. Forward looks are usually towards the horizon so looking slightly to the side doesn't bother.

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by gweilbaker

What does it look like under the cover?

Much like the regular Model A pump except in the space between the front bearing and the seal there is grease. Mine has a alemite fitting on the side to add more grease. The cover is not gasketed but there is no drain either.

The seal is spring loaded (spring around the shaft) and one assumes this is the later "hard" seal used on the Ford cars after Model A.

I have bought water pump variants at Amherst, NH for as little as $3. For a while I was collecting water pump variants.

Here are three pumps for sale BUY IT NOW for $19.95, one of these this JC Whitney Pump (not sure - makes sense.) Shipping is more than the cost of the pumps.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Model-A-Ford...pXq7RR&vxp=mtr



I think I paid under $20 with shipping for mine from Ebay but I have seen them for a little less than I paid - and for MUCH MUCH more.

Some people like to price so they have LOTS of listings, I think.

Ebay should charge "Rent" for the bandwidth this pricing practice uses up. That would encourage sellers to "stay real."

Joe K

[drezin]

I have owned a pietenpol for over 40 yrs. Model A engine. Just now selling it. To old to get in and out of it

[Clem Clement]

I collected aftermarket water pumps for a while. Some designs were most interesting.

[frank55a]

Originally Posted by Benson

In 1928 there was the Pietenpol airplane that used a Model A engine mounted backwards in the air frame.

It was a homebuilt model and there still are a number of them flying today.

After Oct, 1929 the Depression made a cheap airplane popular.

http://community.pressenter.net/~apietenp/

Attached is a close up of a Pietenpol.

[Gary WA]

Originally Posted by Dollar Bill

Interesting concept - Wonder why it didn't catch on?

EBay Item 371902125490

I have one like that!

[mleder]

I also have one and someone I showed it to who does a lot of water pump rebuilding said that these were also used when the Model A Engine was used in a marine application. Anyone have an idea what the replacement seal is? could it be sourced from a modern bearing supply house today?

[Keith True]

I have some of those flat top water pumps.The ones I have look to have the later V8 type seal setup.I have a few of what I call the tube-type,these must have been sold by Western Auto.There were a lot of them around,and most aftermarket parts around town came from them.

[Joe K]

Ok. Time for another pump.

This one looks more or less like the OEM Model A pump, but is missing a zerk and has no stuffing box nut.

It seems to have the impeller of the later Ford V8 - and probably uses yet another hard annular seal.



This is my $3 Amherst pump. I miss Amherst.

One Ebay seller is selling the casting only as the Ford Model A Water Pump Housing - Cast Iron 1920 Original Solid Bearing for more money than a complete pump.

Ford did experiment with a solid front bearing for a VERY short while after going "big hole," but this ain't it. And a front cage bearing does sOOO much better.

I would reject another experimental. Good for the shelf line-up. (They ain't worth a tinker's something.)

Joe K