VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 33 Eagle Leaking Water Pump

I did a search and I know it's out there but I cannot find it. My 33 water pump is leaking at the shaft. Do I tighten the shaft nut because it is loose? Or do I need a new pump? Also want to know what grease to use in the grease cap, lithium or bearing grease? The grease in it now is white and as I got it from the previous owner. I have not added grease.

Thanks

Hi Jolo,

For the grease cup, a marine grease (that does not mix with water) is needed. A lot of folks on this site suggest Lubriplate 115.

Regarding the pump, there should be info in the shop manual. If you don't have this book yet, get one. Also, here's a web site that has a lot of info: http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/

Cheers, Dean

Replacement water pump packing is split and thinner for easy installation. For first repack, pack front end only but this should not be done twice in the same pump without removing the spacer. If the original packing at the rear has been used to 50 per cent or less of its original thickness, then the spacer should be removed and the packing replaced. Never remove old production packing, install the replacement in addition to the old one unless you are going to rebuild the whole thing. I think if you are using "white" grease that is the wrong kind. Correct me if I am wrong but I am using wheel grease on mine. Some time the grease gets hard. I make sure that I have a passage for the new grease to flow into the packing. I have removed old hard grease and made a passage with success. Perhaps your previous owner was trying a lighter grease to "go around" the old hard grease already in there. Lack of good grease will cause a leak.
Never had any water proof grease to use. But that sounds right.

On the 34 Master I built for my employer, I used LUCAS Marine Grease; used on lower unit of outboard engines. Clean the white grease out of the cup best as you can, then flush the remainder out with the LUCAS. Be sure to clean the excess grease from the shaft area. You can try tightening the nut in small amounts until leak stops. If the "packing" is good, it should stop the leak. You will have to pressurize the cooling system, or start vehicle and let run until enough pressure is built to expose the leak.

If the nut is loose then tighten until snug and then just a quarter turn at most. Also the lithium #115 is a water proof lube and one that is recommended by the tech advisors. Be sure the grease cup has grease in it and turn it in according to the owners manual. Unless the car has been sitting for a lengthy time the grease in the pump will soften somewhat with the heat from the engine and that in my opinion is the best time to turn the grease cup in.

You can also purchase a shop manual from the Filling Station. www.fillingstation.com

In my post above I should have typed "lubriplate #115" not lithium. When I checked the LUBRIPLATE website it is listed as a calcium grease specifically for water pumps.

Thanks very helpful