[Healeys] Water pump recommendations

Thu Dec 21 12:51:11 MST 2023

Yep. Many/most pumps do have a hole--usually, looking like a casting 
flaw--over the shaft between the pulley and the seal.  It will weep 
coolant if the seal is leaking, but this is a big, threaded 
hole--half-inch or so--probably for some other inlet. You can see it in 
this pic:

https://bpnorthwest.com/austin-healey/water-pump-uprated-bn1-to-bn2/

Bastuck, I believe, is a German company (Josef is familiar with them). 
Also, IIRC the threads on the shaft are a bit short, I used a thinner 
jamb nut to get good purchase. Those threads may be SAE, but I don't recall.

bs

On 12/21/2023 9:54 AM, Michael Oritt wrote:
> Thanks Bob--
>
> It is somewhat discouraging that what should be easy--sourcing a good 
> and dependable water pump--seems like such a daunting task.  As I 
> mentioned I'd like to replace my present pump--I believe the "uprated" 
> version which I installed in situ several years back and is working 
> just fine--with a new, dependable one with the hope that it will give 
> several years of good service, and while that should not be a big ask 
> I don't think I should have the feeling that I am merely changing 
> cabins on the Titanic.
>
> All that said, most feedback seems to point to the AH Spares unit and 
> that's probably where I'll go unless someone turns my head around. You 
> mention that the threads are metric and I assume you mean the one for 
> the shutoff valve.  I don't have one of those--never had--and since it 
> is pretty expensive and I can simply shut off flow via the tap on the 
> right side of the engine I think I'll stay without one.
>
> As to the hole on top of the pump--isn't that supposed to be a 
> weephole designed to be left unplugged to serve as a warning that 
> water is getting past the seal in the engine--or am I 
> misunderstanding what you are referring to ?
>
> Best--Michael
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 21, 2023 at 11:31 AM Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>     I bought the 'uprated' pump by Bastuck from BPNW (the AHSpares
>     offering appears to be an unbranded version, or maybe a copy). The
>     impeller appears to be somewhat more effective design, and the gap
>     between the impeller and the pump body is, I think, smaller than
>     OEM so would likely flow better. The threads on it won't fit the
>     OEM valve--I think everything's metric on it--and it comes with a
>     barbed nipple. As previously reported, the hole on the top of the
>     pump--anyone know what that's for?--comes with a plug that doesn't
>     plug; I tried everything to get it to seal, and ruined a pump in
>     my attempts. I finally found a way, and may use it to seal an O/D
>     drain plug if it continues to leak. It works fine, but I haven't
>     had the car out on a hot day. I don't think coolant flow is the
>     cause of overheating, esp. at idle; it's mainly due to lack of
>     airflow through the engine bay, lack of a shroud, etc.
>
>     I was so desperate I even tried a County pump, bought from Tom
>     Monaco but sourced by Moss. The bearing felt rough and and I
>     didn't install it; I returned it, and Tom had to jump through
>     hoops to get a refund but he came through. Tom knows a rebuilder
>     in Oregon who rebuilt an OEM pump for me, but it's currently
>     riding in the boot. I don't have the invoice, but Tom would tell
>     you if you gave him a call.
>
>     Bob
>
>     On 12/20/2023 10:40 PM, Hank Leach via Healeys wrote:
>>     When I did my 100, in 2015, I took the original pump to a very
>>     good machinist who fashioned a seal out of delrin and he figured
>>     out the correct spring pressure using an original NOS part and
>>     the pump works perfect to date.
>>     AH Spares professes that they have the best pump. Many other
>>     aftermarket makers, including County, make junk. Using the
>>     original parts can work if you have someone who understands
>>     pumps.The proper spring pressure is critical to prevent leaks and
>>     the seal being made out of delrin resists wear from vibration.
>>     This machinist worked for an agricultural supply company. Hank
>>     --------------------
>>
>>     From: "Michael Oritt" <michael.oritt at gmail.com>
>>     <mailto:michael.oritt at gmail.com>
>>     To: "Austin Healey" <healeys at autox.team.net>
>>     <mailto:healeys at autox.team.net>
>>     Sent: Wed, Dec 20 2023 06:35 PM
>>     Subject: [Healeys] Water pump recommendations
>>     The engine in my 100 will be out soon and I'd like to replace the
>>     present water pump PROVIDED there has been a scientific
>>     breakthrough in the manufacturing of this often problematic piece
>>     of equipment.
>>     Is anyone making or reconditioning pumps that offer a real
>>     improvement of what is generally offered to us?
>>     Best--Michael Oritt
>>
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