ford28roadster
Member
what is the proper grease for the water pump. ive read something about it needs to melt in the water so it doesn't clot up the radiator. any ideas thanks john
Proper grease for water pump
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Dave in MN
Well-known member
ford28roadster
Member
I found some water proof grease in small 3 oz tubes at west marine john
steve s
Well-known member
I'm sure that I read in one of the early Ford service manuals that they recommended a water soluble grease that will not plug up the cooling system when it washes out. However, as with pretty much every Model A issue, there are passionately held, opposing opinions on this too. The guy who rebuilt my water pump recommended a water proof grease that wouldn't wash out of the bearings in the first place. The vendors, of course, are happy to serve both religions. I think that either approach is OK, as long as the water soluble greasers are religious about making frequent applications, and the water proof greasers are religious about not shooting so much grease in that excess is pushed on through into the coolant. I am in the latter group, but not particularly proud of it; I know of no way to know for sure how much is too much (until my radiator plugs up some day, at which time I'll know I have been using too much water pump grease for all these--hopefully many--years).
Isn't the water proof grease that the marinas sell intended for use either in trailer wheel bearings and such, where any excess goes out onto the ground, or in motors that use flow-through river/lake water for cooling (no radiator to get plugged)?
Isn't the water proof grease that the marinas sell intended for use either in trailer wheel bearings and such, where any excess goes out onto the ground, or in motors that use flow-through river/lake water for cooling (no radiator to get plugged)?
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The front grease fitting on your water pump can use chassis grease. Only be selective in your lube for the rear fitting.I do not have the book at hand but my recollection is that in the 1932 Service Manual for the Model B that owners were advised not to use the special water pump grease then on the market and used in other makes of cars. If someone has the 1932 Service Bulletins handy please look this up and report to us.
H. L. Chauvin
Well-known member
FWIW:
Many varying opinions on Model A water pump grease over the years.
Someone kindly posted years ago, when using non-soluble grease, to never provide grease under pressure with a grease gun on the Model A water pump's rear bearing ....... but ....... instead ...... entirely remove the rear grease fitting and push grease into this orifice with something like a Q-Tip in order to avoid pumping excess grease into the coolant area.
I have been doing this with a Q-Tip and the coolant is still petroleum free ..... if my water pump shaft ever gets loose, and my fan blade comes through the windshield ........... (LOL) ....... I would be the first to advise everyone against this Q-Tip Method.
Hope this helps.
Many varying opinions on Model A water pump grease over the years.
Someone kindly posted years ago, when using non-soluble grease, to never provide grease under pressure with a grease gun on the Model A water pump's rear bearing ....... but ....... instead ...... entirely remove the rear grease fitting and push grease into this orifice with something like a Q-Tip in order to avoid pumping excess grease into the coolant area.
I have been doing this with a Q-Tip and the coolant is still petroleum free ..... if my water pump shaft ever gets loose, and my fan blade comes through the windshield ........... (LOL) ....... I would be the first to advise everyone against this Q-Tip Method.
Hope this helps.