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**GDPR** · 1 February 2008, 19:44

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Hi Andrew

The first thought that springs to mind is that the clearance was never checked or set by the last person that did it! Most likely ignorance of the importance of setting the water pumps up on the Stag, Dolomite, TR7 etc.

Assuming your pump is in good order, and the pump centre bolt is OKyou may have no clearance when checking due to the cover being incorrectly set up at some time in the distant past using another pump with insufficient clearance, and the cover nodule has been worn downby the centre bolt(and you will most likely see wear marks inside the cover too)- this would allow your cover to bottom out to the block and give you this condition.

There is also the possibility that you have the wrong cover for the pump - see this thread to identify what you have:

http://stagownersclub.mywowbb.com/vi...ter+pump+cover

Being that the water pump is such a mission critical item on the Stag, and is marginal in performance due to being so high in the block, and has other reliability problems with it's gears,I would not recommend that you just fit the thinnest gasket you have and cross your fingers!

Take your time and find out where it is wrong - because something sure is - no doubt someone knows of the correct dimensions of the pump cover so you could check to see if it is worn - unfortunately I do not, but I would like to know for future reference. Good luck and keep us all posted with what you find!

Russ

**Marco Polo** · 1 February 2008, 20:09

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G'day Andrew,

What I would do, isplace some engineers putty, (the kids plasticine or blu-tac will do)on the nipple in the cover, you only need a very small amount, dry fit the cover to the block, tighten the bolts fully,remove everything and measure the thickness of the putty, that has now been crushed between the nipple on the cover and the head of the bolt on the water pump shaft. Measure the putty with a vernier or micrometer. My Stag Guru told me to get the gap as small as possible, I run mine at10 thou.

This is assuming you have the correct impeller and cover relationship. There are other threads on this in the forum. You may be lucky and not need a gasket.

I am reluctant to assume that anything previously fitted or repairedon my Stag has been done correctly by previous owners, I've got too much evidence to the contrary!

Hope this helps,

regards,

Raoul

**GDPR** · 1 February 2008, 20:27

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Gudday and good point Raoul

The stuff to buy in the UK, Andrew, is called Plastigage - get it mail order or from an engine rebuilders or rebore workshop - it's a round plastic extrusion that when deformed by tightening your pump cover down as Raoul described, it stays deformed and is easy to check with a micrometer... usedit to checkbearing clearances when I used to build racing Ford Xflows and Dolly Sprint engines...

Russ

**stustag** · 2 February 2008, 04:03

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Hi Andrew

Raoul is correct put plastigage on top of the bolt (small amount) place the cover on as stated in the ROM page 26.50.01 and EQUALLY tighten the bolts by hands finger tight.

I would then remove and measure the plastigage and note the thickness, after redo this again but tighten the cover fully then remove and measure the palstigage again. You now have to referance figures two use, the correct clearance is between 0.010"-0.025".

By the way how hard do you tap the pump into place as it states the graphite seal can be damaged by use of impact!!!!:shock:

I have never done this job myself but the ROM and Russ/Raoul all give good advise on how to proceed.

Stuart

**Andrew S** · 2 February 2008, 04:13

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Hi All

Thanks for your comments and advice.Just t answer Stu, it wasn't that hard a tap and was in between a tap and a knock

The oil thrower, bearing and circlip govern the relationship with brass cage and impeller, so the height of the pump cannot alter.

I have just put Blu Tac under the pump cover and re-fitted and when removed, the thickness that has been squashed is as good as the thickness of the middle sized gasket in the set. From memory and feel,this was the thickness gasket that was fitted before when I pulled it apart. If this is the case, should I use the thick gasket

I am relieved that the clearance is so close. Thanks for the the simple suggestion of checking the clearance.It was a late night late night and was too tired

Cheers

Andrew

**Marco Polo** · 2 February 2008, 04:34

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Andrew,

If you have a clearance without a gasket in place and it is 10 thou I would fit the cover without a gasket. The gasket is more like a spacer in this installation as the flange of the water pump cover is almost an interferance fitwith the engine block. Just use a little sealant, hylomar for example torque it down and move on to your next headache, fitting the inlet manifold!

Have fun!

regards,

Raoul

**Bob Heritage** · 2 February 2008, 06:51

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Hi Andrew

I think you have been given good advice here. But I would always wonder why it happened. I would suggest that you had the impeller ground as you should have on overhauling the pump and the machinist got over excited and ground a little too much off the bottom thus lowering the impeller, which would mean that it has just had it's last grind.

Bob

**Andrew S** · 2 February 2008, 10:06

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Thanks Bob

I have fitted the pump using the 10thou gasket and even fitted the inlet manifold first time and went down like a dream. There again, I ran a tap down the head threads first and fitted new bolts and they went on with fingers first and then have just been tightening them down slowly and evenly. I will see if they need any more turning tomorrow.

Thanks for everyone's input and comments

Andrew

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