VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 water pump packing on 1931

I seem to have no luck in keeping the water pump seal from driping. With it leaking the inside of the motor compartment and the hood louvers get all messed up. Is a different water ump available for a '31. or is a better packing ring available? I sure could use some advice, Thanks Bill (wir@lsol.net)

If the adjusting nut has addition turns, then do that. If it is at the end of travel, back it all the way off. From the plumbing store secure some of the white Teflon packing. Fill the cavity and restart the nut. Screw till it has compressed the packing again. Remove nut and see if you can add additional packing material. (Caution: Insure that you can turn the fan blade by hand prior to starting engine).

Ray: how does the teflon "rope or string" hold up under heat? realize its a super good sealant but just wonder how it survives 180 to 200 degrees. thanks, mike

Mike, it is not a problem. The best packing is the lead wrapped fibers. Not sure where I got them, but that is the way to go. If the water pump shaft is scarred, no packing will be a solution. In that case, a rebuild is in order, and the kits come with a fiber packing.

When I rebuilt the pump in my 1925, I had shafts cut from stainless steel material. Used the lead covered packing rings. Don't expect that one to fail till I am gone.

I had a leaking pump on my '13 buick, called the local pump rebuilder and for a few dollars bought a foot of graphite impregnated quarter inch thick rope. Took off the packing nut and cleaned the old packing out of the body or nut. Cut the rope just long enough to fit the packing nut with some some extra for compressing. Reinstalled the nut, snugged it up, turned the shaft by hand, started the engine and it was done. Less than half an hour and less than five dollars. Have used the car one weekend and no drips. Regards, Gary

For packing try www.mcmaster.com under fastening and sealing, compression packing. For rebuilding and repacking the water pump check out www.cvr.citymax.com/page/page/550626.htm

Doug,

Should we assume that you have ordered and used some of the commpression packing from www.mcmaster.com? If yes which did you use and were you happy with it.

I haven't ordered any but this is a site that has some useful items. I had some orignal type packing for my pump. If you are unsure what to order you can call them and they will give you the best for this application.
Although I haven't purchased any note that they also sell rope felt that can be used for the 1929-31 rocker arms.

Hey, I have had this problem also and the fix is the correct grease and constant adjustment. I turn the grease knob almost every time I park the car. I adjust the packing about every three to five times I drive it. The result is very little leakage but I throw a little grease sometimes. They just don't make them like they use to thank God. My 2004 SSR doesn't have this problem? Go figure.

Be sure there is no end play in the shaft. Not much water can get into the shaft area if there is minimum clearance between the pump casting and the front of the impeller hub.

Hi, Contacted www.mcmaster.com and asked if theyy could advise which of their graphite products would work on 31 water pump. They could not advise which was correct. Has anybody looked at their site and determined which size is correct?

Hey yellowcabguy. I am not sure what you are asking. If you are looking for the correct lubricant you need Lubriplate brand number 115 water pump grease. Most bearing stores can get it or direct you to who can. When they try to look it up most of them will not find it listed so keep pushing them.

I have the water pump grease but was asking about the water pump packing. At www.mcmaster.com they have a wide range of graphite rope to be used as packing but was not sure of the correct size to order.