VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 water pump packing

When the packing nut is at at the end of the threads, what is the best procedure to add more packing. I have new packing material but a description of how to stuff it into place would be helpful. It is such a confined space I am not eager to attack this without some help. Thanks, Gene

Do you have the rings that look like they have graphite on them with a diagonal cut? If so try adding one after backing off the packing nut, then tighten just enough so you have a drip every so often. They should slip over the shaft and you push it in far enough so the nut will gain a hold on the threads in the pump. If you have to add more than one ring alternate the split / cut location. If your shaft isn't pitted this may work. You can also dig it all out with a pick like tool and start over but I would try adding one first. If you dig it out take noticed of the location of two thin metal washers.

Dave

Dave's advice is good!

Here's a pic from when I rebuilt Lurch's water pump:



If you take out the water pump for a rebuild, here's a link to my story of the rebuild: https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/395521/re-resurrecting-a-28-4-banger.html#Post395521

Hope this helps, Dean