Water Pump Slot for Grease?

[sdreich]

Hi-

I took the water pump off the engine before I had the engine rebuilt. There is a slot on the pump, which I believe is for water pump grease (is there such a thing?). Which direction does the slot go? If grease really goes in there, how do you get it in?

Also, I forget to note which direction the fan blades go. Do the fan blades (as opposed to the fan supports) face aft?

Any help appreciated. Thanks.

-Steve
Del Mar, CA
'64 red (AMPHICR) in many pieces
'64 red (I SWIM 2) ready to swim

 

[jfriese]

Steve,

That slot is a place for water to leak out should the seals start to fail. Some pumps have a hole. In either case the opening should face down so that water can leak out and not pool between the bearings. If you see water leaking out of there, it's time for a new pump.

The face (or flat side of the fan) should face the reat of the car. The blades will then go towards the engine.

John Friese
67 White
67 Red

 

[CapnJohn]

You apply the grease via the plug that I relace with a zerk that is located on the top of the water pump (Looking from the rear to front) at about 11 O'Clock or draw a straight line down from the thermostat nut and another from the manifold bolt and it should intersect with the plug. If you look close you should be able to see the plug (haven't added it yet in this pic) it in this pic of a car I'm doing now.

 

[DavidC]

Steve, as others have said the slot is in case the pump goes bad, don't put grease there. Grease goes in the zerk fitting (referred to as a ni88le in UK documents). Only a small amount of grease though, recommendation is something like "5 strokes of the grease gun every 60k miles" There was originally a waterproof grease but nowadays pretty much all grease is waterproof - Amsoil is what I use.

Be aware that there are some bad Chinese made waterpumps about, the clue is the pulley is welded on, Wave bloke knows a bit about that but I think he is away for a..ahemm... quiet recreational weekend to a place of tranquility to rediscover himself...

David C

 

[jfriese]

I don't think you'll find that plug (that will accept a zerk fitting) on any of the newer pumps. I've only seen it on old (perhaps original) water pumps. New pumps supposedly have sealed, lifetime bearings.

John Friese