I'm looking for a miracle worker. When I purchased my 51 TD, a brand new
water pump spare was included, purchased from Abingdon Spares in 1984.
When I had the engine rebuilt two months ago, I asked that the new water
pump be installed (the keyway on the old pump is a bit battered, making
it still good for an emergency spare but not one for a permanent
installation). I assumed everything was all right by the machine shop.
3,000 miles later, I decided to lubricate all the car fittings. When I
came to the newly installed water pump, I discovered there was no grease
nipple, only a small hole, approx 1/8 inch diameter (hopefully the
bearings were well greased by the manufacturer and therefore no damage
done without grease being packed). With a small jeweler's screwdriver, I
have determined that the hole goes all the way to the bearings and there
are no threads (I was hoping that a larger hole was closed off when the
machine shop painted the engine and components). It appears that the
hole for the grease fitting nipple was never tapped by the manufacturer.
For an interim, I have pumped lithium grease into the small opening
which was liberally accepted, but I don't think that is the answer. The
grease fitting on my old pump appears to be Whitworth. I do not have a
Whitworth tap nor would I think it a good idea to tap in place where
filings could fall into the bearings below.
Perhaps I am barking up the wrong tree. Maybe there is an easier
solution. But the three options I see are : 1) reinstall the old pump,
2) purchase a new water pump or 3) remove the water pump and tap for a
grease nipple (being an iron casting, don't know if it can be tapped).
My preference is to not remove the pump but come up with a viable
solution for packing grease into the small opening.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Stu Keen
Venice, FL
51 MGTD MkII
simbafish@home.com
|