The water pump shaft

[nairb]

I have been doing a test assembly of the water pump bits.  It's all there, so it seems.

Here is the bit in question, The pump shaft with what looks like a bearing of sorts.  The black and white thing....

I find that there is no rotation of the black bearing object at all on the pump shaft.  The white insert is also non-rotating.

So it just presses up against the seal in the housing?.  I presume the lubrication comes from the water??.

Is this correct?.

Best to know before bolting it all together.

Ta

Nairb

[wayne]

Yes, you are correct.

When you buy a new waterseal, they'll come with a white piece loose in the pack. That white piece replaces what you've got there. If you have a new one, you can dig that one out using a pick tool. It's not hard, it's not pressed in. Then fit the new one (by hand is all that's required).

If you don't have a new one, assemble as is. There's a mating surface on your new water seal (the thing with a spring on it). That mating surface contacts the white disc with the spring pressure, gets lubed by the coolant and provides a seal.

[typ110]

And if the 'white piece' is somehow damaged or grooved you can turn it 180° around and use the other side to ensure a good sealing surface ;-)

[nairb]

Thanks for the info. I had to make sure. I was wondering if it was a bearing that had seized up. I Can not believe all this will actually work in the end.

Onwards.....

[wayne]

Just for info, it's not uncommon even with new seals etc for coolant to leak occasionally out of the "tell-tale" hole. Sometimes takes a while to settle down after a rebuild. Sometimes they'll leak no coolant for a thousand miles and then spit a small amount on occasion. My advice, my opinion only, don't panic (no matter what the book says). Just monitor, it'll often seal up again and work fine for another thousand.

If you see oil leaking out that hole, that's a different story............

[nairb]

I have been thinking ahead to the day the button will be pressed, and the lump will burst into life. No, really..... fat chance.
I remember when I rebuilt the gt750 (kettle) engine. All new gaskets.... all torque down. Every thing back together. The last job before firing it up was to fill with water....

Well, it leaked loads. I was really pissed off. I drained it and asked the kettle club for advice........

Wait until the engine will run and then fill with a mixture of "bars Leaks" & water. Start engine and wait.

The advice was spot on. Within a shortish while, all the leaks stopped.
And since then, every now & then it starts to dribble a bit and more magic mixture gets fed into the system, and it's back to no leaks.
I can not imagine a re5 is going to be any better. 50 years after being manufactured.

[timpa136]

Jun 17, 2024 20:47:26 GMT -5 nairb said:

I have been thinking ahead to the day the button will be pressed, and the lump will burst into life. No, really..... fat chance.
I remember when I rebuilt the gt750 (kettle) engine. All new gaskets.... all torque down. Every thing back together. The last job before firing it up was to fill with water....

Well, it leaked loads. I was really pissed off. I drained it and asked the kettle club for advice........

Wait until the engine will run and then fill with a mixture of "bars Leaks" & water. Start engine and wait.

The advice was spot on. Within a shortish while, all the leaks stopped.
And since then, every now & then it starts to dribble a bit and more magic mixture gets fed into the system, and it's back to no leaks.
I can not imagine a re5 is going to be any better. 50 years after being manufactured.

Hi Nairb,
There are similarities between the 750 and RE but coolant leaks aren't really one of them. IMO the bars leaks is mainly for the water pump lubricant.

Be sure the bottle says water pump lubricant as I have some that does not say that.

[nairb]

I did mean to ask this question in the beginning as well...........

Here is a nice pic of the pump shaft and the bearing that goes over the end of it.

IMG_3462 by

That bearing is more than a transition fit over the end of the pump shaft.  I don't remember having any issues taking it off, originally, but that is a few years ago now.

The gear+key fits fine on the pump shaft, but the bearing is a tight fit.  I have not tried to get the bearing all the way on yet.

Is this how it is.

Ta

Nairb

[wayne]

Sorry I can't help, it's been awhile since I did that bearing. Suffice to say I have no recollection of difficulty.

Have you tried putting the shaft in the freezer and the bearing in an oven on low heat for a half hour or so?