I LOVE my waterpump!

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: I LOVE my waterpump!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 03:34 am:

Yes, what can I say. When I bought the coupe a couple years ago, it had many features that I really like and wanted. And a few things that I would want to change or fix eventually. One of those, was it had a water pump. It was nicely restored looking with a shiny new stainless steel shaft. Maybe the coupe needed it at one time, but the previous owner had gotten and installed a new Berg's radiator. It certainly should not need a water pump now. However, when you have too many things you need to do and not nearly enough time to really work on them. You have to prioritize. The pump seamed to be okay, so removing it has been on the list for later or when convenient.

For today, I pulled the coupe out of the garage. Connected the battery. Checked the gas, it was old and low. Added some water, yes the pump has a little leak. Pulled the crank and choke a couple times. Turned the key to "on". Gave the crank a good pull and it fired right up, raring to go. I backed the car over by the shop where the air compressor is, and proceeded to bring all four tires on the ground up to proper pressure. The spare is a bit low, but okay for now.
I then went for a short drive. Now, the drive was nice, the quiet road beautiful under all the trees. But that occasional clinking of the fan blades clipping the water pump pulley was annoying, and getting worse. It had started last year, and only did it a little bit, usually going downhill, like my driveway. I had moved the pulley back a bit and thought it should be okay till I got around to removing the thing. But now it is worse.
I parked by my garage, lifted the hood, and glanced down at the water pump pulley. It was all the way forward hitting the fan again. Something else caught my eye. The front bushing grease was neatly spread for about a full inch in front of the bushing.
Then the light came on! A quick glance at the Motometer confirmed what I already knew. The engine was not hot, but a bit too high for a short drive on a moderately cool day. The impeller had come loose and fallen off the back of the shaft!
SO! I love my water pump! Why? Because it is now right where it belongs. Hanging on a nail on the outside wall of my garage.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kep on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 04:08 am:

Fair enough.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 04:43 am:

:-) I thought that you were trying to start another Loooooog discussion. :-)

Yes me too Fred. Chris


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 07:39 am:

Water pumps work great!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Wells on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 08:22 am:

Your going to love looking under your hood at the simplest liquid cooling system ever devised. It's something to be proud of when others have a look at your engine. From slow parades to full speed 100 mile trips, I find thermosyphon works great. I drained my rad and block the other day, it seems to hold an enormous amount of water so no wonder a pump is not needed. What we need now is to find a use for all these unwanted waterpumps.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Zibell on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 08:52 am:

Since the car had a water pump, a 18o thermostat may have been installed. I'd check to see. Either remove the thermostat if there and don't use one, or replace with a 160 degree thermostat. Please guys let's not start another long argument about them, leave it up to the owner to use one or not.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Aldrich Orting Wa on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 10:28 am:

Perfect place for those water pumps!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 11:10 am:

Be sure to check the water level before everytime you drive the car. Those pumps are prone to springing a leak and due to the position, will drain the block and upper part of the radiator to the level of the pump.

Many years ago my dad had a Nash 600 which had a similar type water pump and he told me to check the water before I drove the car. Well I didn't check it and got on the L.A. freeway and drove it until it overheated. Then I pulled off into a gas station and poured cold water in it. The engine was shattered with hundreds of cracks. Dad was not well pleased with me! :-( So take my warning, and check before you drive. Check every time you stop before driving again.

A good running T with a good radiator has ABSOLUTELY no need for a water pump.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andrew Deckman, Ogden Utah on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 11:15 am:

That is a great Idea, a wheel chock! So I can say my car has a water pump.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ned Protexter on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 12:39 pm:

I took 8 of them that we had gotten with different cars. Sold them all and paid for our gas going one way. I really don't think they are that bad...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 01:38 pm:

Fun Stuff!
John Z, Two good points!
Ned P, Being part Scottish, I like the way you think!
Royce, and Andrew D, I always enjoy that photo!
Fred D, Who? Me?
Kep, I always enjoy seeing your comments.
Dave W, One of the many wonderful things about model Ts!
Norman K, The Nash story is an Ouch! One of the definite downsides of most water pumps is that they do leak. If not now, then when you least expect it!

All fun stuff.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 01:39 pm:

To each his own I guess. I became a believer in a GOOD radiator. When I bought a new Bergs radiator I could hardly believe the difference.

MHO


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 02:33 pm:

Here is the problem with a water pump on a Model T. The T was designed to cool by thermosyphon. There is no thermostat and so the coolant doesn't circulate until it begins to warm up, and the hotter it gets the faster it circulates. If the radiator is any good, it will circulate faster as the engine heats up. If the radiator is plugged, of course, the coolant won't circulate even with a water pump!

No this is where the problem exists if you have a water pump with a good radiator but without a thermostat. The coolant will circulate when cold, and the water pump will delay the warm up period. So your engine will run too cold.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 03:03 pm:

If you don't use a thermostat, the engine has to heat the water in the top of the radiator before it gets up to economical temperature.

My 180 thermostat keeps the heat in the engine until it needs some cooling. I never see red in the motometer when driving, and that's under all conditions. The full radiator is cool until its actually needed. The exception: when the car is stationary for over five minutes, as I don't run a fan.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 04:35 pm:

Right. Not running a thermostat or water pump the Model T engine regulates the water flow evenly because a pump is not making water move to or from places it is not needed. No water pump leaks. No belt to get thrown. No pump to seize up. Nothing slinging grease all over the engine compartment. No thermostat to stick closed and ruin your day.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Willis Jenkins on Friday, July 19, 2013 - 05:20 pm:

Grease still flies off the bushing for the fan shaft when you don't have a water pump. Even when I grease it and wipe off any excess. I like things clean.

Cheers,
Willis


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Ronning on Sunday, July 21, 2013 - 10:43 pm:

I had my 14 T belted up to a corn sheller at our county fair, and shelled corn for 5 days. no water pump, car not moving so not as much air flow. the 14 did not overheat but I did add about 1 gal of water every day. had a lot o fun.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les VonNordheim on Sunday, July 21, 2013 - 11:28 pm:

I run a Texas T water pump with out the thermostat and enjoy no more heating problems. Have a Brass Works radiator that is not plugged and the block is clean. Some of you can not understand that all model T's may not run/cool the same.
The Texas T water pump has not leaked in 8 yrs. use. It has modern bearings/seals, stainless shaft and impeller.
Before the water pump, I ran our touring for over 5 yrs. constantly fighting overheating.

I'm very happy using a water pump....but do not believe that most model T's need a water pump.

So for those that like to hang water pumps on the wall, use them as a chock block or drive over them.....If that what makes you happy, then go for it!

I have walked the walk on trying to make my T run with out overheating. Those that keep on saying that T's never need a water pump.....have not walked in my foot steps. You may impress others.....but not me!


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