Leaking water pump

ETAModel

ETAModel

Senior Member
Cranked up the 30 Fordor yesterday the first time this year. The radiator was almost dry, glad I checked it before starting. I filled it before parking it in November.

Was looking at motor from drivers side while running. The bottom hose looks like it had been wet, and it may need tending to. Then I looked at the water pump shaft and noticed it was wet on the motor side of the shaft. I touched it carefully, and it was water. I never noticed it before, but I'm no expert.

What do you use to turn the castle-nut looking cap holding the shaft? I thought tightening it a smidge might help.

What's the opinion of the Gallery?
 
There is packing under the cap. Tighten it just enough to stop the weeping. Parts houses sell the packing. You add packing, you don't clean out old packing and then start over.
I would guess the owners manual covers this.
 
You shouldn't need to tighten the nut much at all. I use a screw driver in a notch and lever against the pump body. One or two notches is usually enough.
If you add more packing, load it with grease first.
 
Best to tighten the packing nut (carefully, and just a little) when the engine is running.
 
Thanks everyone. I'm pretty sure Les' red book covers it, but wanted to hear what folks had to say on here. I was concerned I'd need a spanner wrench of some kind, guess I was overthinking it.
 
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They do sell a spanner wrench for the packing nut but I found them to be to skinny, either weld or glue two together and it works great...(if only them made them twice as thick in the first place...that'd be great)
 
ETAModel said:
Thanks, I think I'll go with a sturdy flat blade screwdriver for now.
I appreciate all the guidance.
Click to expand...

There is not much pressure needed to turn the nut a notch or two. Any screwdriver 6 inches or so long will do the job. It doesn't have to be "sturdy".
 
Page 19 of the Model A service manual states: Packing is used in forming a water tight connection Should a leak develop, lubricate water pump shaft through water pump lubricator fitting, then tighten the packing nut. A screw driver is used for this purpose as shown in Fig. 9. Do not tighten the nut more than is necessary to stop the leak.
 
I used about a quart of water to fill her up, pumped a little bit of grease in both fittings then cranked her up. I tightened the castle nut one notch and no more leak. I let her run about 20 minutes, still no leak. I'll go see if she lost water tomorrow.
Thanks all.
 
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