Show whole topic
Mar 11, 2017 1:48 pm
Mar 11, 2017 1:48 pm
Subject: LG6 (Meadows) water pump rebuild
Got my LG6 back on the road last year, last drove it in 2000. Discovered the water pump was dripping; dismantled it to find it had been rebuilt with plain bronze bearings, stainless shaft, and a rubber seal replacing part of the front bearing. No packing whatsoever under the special set screw (and no grease in the stauffer!). No evidence of a graphite seal; just two thick bronze washers between the impeller and the body casting. One of the bronze washers had worn against that, meaning longitudinal play, and the leak.
Reading the Club manual, I see recommendation for modern bearings and seals. I have found someone who can rebuild the pump as original, but now I've got the pump apart, I can see the bearings have picked up a bit, and frankly, it seems a pretty poor design. The contemporary V12 had a sensible graphite seal arrangement. It seems bizarre that Lagonda should offer a car with automatic chassis lubrication, yet tell owners they need to turn the pump stauffer nearly every time they drive the car!
Can anyone recommend a firm who can replace the bearings with modern ball races, and fit a modern effective seal? Yes I know the club has new pumps available, but I'd prefer to keep original parts on the engine, and I can't run to £800 for that anyway, too much other expense at the moment.
Laurence
Got my LG6 back on the road last year, last drove it in 2000. Discovered the water pump was dripping; dismantled it to find it had been rebuilt with plain bronze bearings, stainless shaft, and a rubber seal replacing part of the front bearing. No packing whatsoever under the special set screw (and no grease in the stauffer!). No evidence of a graphite seal; just two thick bronze washers between the impeller and the body casting. One of the bronze washers had worn against that, meaning longitudinal play, and the leak.
Reading the Club manual, I see recommendation for modern bearings and seals. I have found someone who can rebuild the pump as original, but now I've got the pump apart, I can see the bearings have picked up a bit, and frankly, it seems a pretty poor design. The contemporary V12 had a sensible graphite seal arrangement. It seems bizarre that Lagonda should offer a car with automatic chassis lubrication, yet tell owners they need to turn the pump stauffer nearly every time they drive the car!
Can anyone recommend a firm who can replace the bearings with modern ball races, and fit a modern effective seal? Yes I know the club has new pumps available, but I'd prefer to keep original parts on the engine, and I can't run to £800 for that anyway, too much other expense at the moment.
Laurence