I've installed several water pumps--including two on Healeys--without "running
them in" on a lathe (don't have one, but I suppose you could rig a drill).
None of them have leaked, at least not until they'd lived a normal life. I
believe the seals are ceramic and require coolant for lubrication; I'd be
afraid the seals would score the driveshaft without the coolant.
The pump and block are machined surfaces. I generally install gaskets on
smooth machined surfaces without any goop, but a THIN layer of Permatex
Aviation Gasket Sealant probably wouldn't hurt (do you wear a belt with your
suspenders? ;)
bs
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Bob Spidell San Jose, CA bspidell@comcast.net
'67 Austin-Healey 3000 '56 Austin-Healey 100M
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> Getting ready to install a new water pump on my 63 BJ7. Was told I should
> "run it in" for ten minutes on a lathe before installing in the vehicle or it
> may leak. Any ideas on that theory from the more experienced folks out
> there?
>
> It looks like I will need to move or remove the radiator, remove the fan and
> belt, pull the pump; then reverse the process. Being a novice
> mechanic.....is there anything special I need to look out for? What type of
> gasket compound is best?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Charlie Carpenter
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