Water pump replacements

[The G Man]

I have read a couple of the older threads on this topic and there is a view of refurb where possible.

However it would appear from the attached photo that my water pump is already a 12 vane one, question is this a later replacement for the 6 vane water pump or where they fitted to the mk 2 dependent on build date, mine left the factory on 10/09/74.

I can see on James Paddock website both 6 & 12 vane WP's, has anyone bought one of these new replacements and is the quality ok?

I think I have had a lucky escape, current one failed on the drive after a 50 mile drive.....

DC5DD99B-D298-4D7D-8E92-B794DC711EA3.jpeg

[Lingen]

Gman.
Check to see that you have the appropriate 12 vane cover. If you have, then just get another 12 vane pump. I am not in a position to comment on the quality!
Mike.

[The G Man]

Thank you Mike, I am guessing it is correct as it has been on the car for a good few years, I can't see it listed in the last 10 years of receipts that came with the car, I am further guessing if it wasn't the correct cover it might have failed before or is that hypothesis wrong?

Sorry not terribly mechanical so hope the above makes sense.

thanks John

[MandM]

when you say it failed was it just leaking?

[The G Man]

Yes leaking, the garages comment this morning was "failed" and by leaking zero at start up, rather a lot of coolant ending up on the floor as soon as the engine to up got up to operating temp.

[DMT]

Silly question - Is the gasket OK?

[The G Man]

DMT, I am checking but I am pretty sure the gasket had let go and they didn't like what they found when they removed the water pump and checked it, I do have confidence in them, I don't think they would have recommended the change unless they thought it was necessary, they have been thorough and I think fair so far. Their starting position was the refurb kit is circa £19 a new pump is £235, they were happy to refurb, my view was if it was not an original part anyway then we should swap it.

They have offered choices were parts look tired, e.g the clutch which they said was possibly good for a further approx 2-5k miles and asked me what my annual milage intentions were versus replacement cost whilst the the engine gearbox were already removed. We had a debate on CDD CV drive shafts and after inspecting mine they felt they were perfectly serviceable and why didn't I drive her for a year and at next years service and MOT we could swap them if I though I would get the value from them and I was unhappy with the twitch.

That said they are not an out and out Triumph specialists but work on a large range of classics, Alvis, AC, Jag, Rover P5/6, Singer, Hillman, MG etc. I know they look after 2 or 3 Stags and have done a full rebuild for someone at a well known Stag parts supplier.

I trust them but they might not be infallible.

What I was seeking from the initial question was really a view on buying the service kit and refurbing the original but was wondering if the 12 vane pump was original and if it isn't it was perhaps better to replace than refurb.

Perhaps I should have been a bit more explicit in the original post, apologies if I wasn't clear.

[DMT]

Hi Gman. I believe there is not a lot or in fact any difference in 6 or 12 vane pumps effectiveness. (others opinions may differ) The important bit is as you have been quoted, the correct cover.

I decided I did not want to rely on what is a known weak spot, but saying that I believe my 6 vane pump was original and had done 70000 miles and was working fine, but I went with an external pump.

This gave me piece of mind and allowed me to get the alternator up high on the LHS, which is a win win. When costs are factored in it was not much more than you are paying.

Regards

Dave

[fussydave]

Hi Gman, I would strongly recommend that you do not buy a new pump. I did and others have to our great cost of having to rebuild the engine as the gear on the new pump was not hardened and after 250 miles the gear disintegrated seizing up and ruining the jack shaft and the front bearing it runs in. Result, engine out and full strip and rebuild. One of the Stag specialists will no longer fit new water pumps for this reason.

With regard to 6 and 12 vane pumps, I understand that one was more efficient at low revs and the other at high revs but neither made little difference to engine cooling overall.
I'm sure someone with greater knowledge will have the full info on the differences.

Dave.

[NeilR]

Agree totaly with comments of "fussydave".

Have the existing one rebuilt.

[DJT]

My November '73 built Stag has a 12-vane pump. Don't know why, it was there when I bought it. Compared with the 6-vane pump in my previous November '71 built Stag there seems to be no difference in performance. Neither Stag ran any warmer than vertical on the temp gauge. If the one you have shows no signs of wear on the teeth, then rebuild it with a reliable seal kit. The one I took out of mine last year (to fit a Staged pump) had done at least 60,000 miles and has no signs of wear.

49B2E5E2-3CE6-4079-A4F7-C0B2F0FF5990.jpeg

[DMT]

Gman. I have my 6 vane pump in my box to go to a good home. It was working fine when i removed it. Its yours in you want. It was not leaking and the bearing is very good. No sign of any wear. ( worth rebuilding though)

if you want it pm me.


Pump.jpg
Dave

[Goldstar]

Gman. I have my 6 vane pump in my box to go to a good home. It was working fine when i removed it. Its yours in you want. It was not leaking and the bearing is very good. No sign of any wear. ( worth rebuilding though)

if you want it pm me.


Pump.jpg
Dave

Would need the correct cover as he has a 12v vane installed at the moment.

[DMT]

Good point Paul,

[jbuckl]

Have pmd you gman.