I have a 48 Ford flat head and it appears that the p***enger side water pump is leaking oil. Is this possible? Cooling is not a problem and there is no oil in the coolant. I have search other posts and have not found this item. If the water pump is not leaking oil what is? I am thinking about replacing the water pumps with the speedway models anyway. It is hard to see but it looks like oil is leaking from the pulley shaft.
Yep, that's what they do. If you replace the pumps with the new sealed bearing ones that won't happen any more.
The oil is from the valley...there are holes to allow oil to reach pump bearing. Obviously a seal is shot...aftermarket pumps have sealed bearings.
It's sort of normal. The factory water pumps have a small hole in the back that picks up oil from inside the timing cover to lubricate the bushings. After they have some wear they will leak some of that oil out. It's not really fatal but if you want to replace it you can. One of my pumps was leaking and I happened to have an extra for that side, so when I had to replace the radiator I threw the new pump on there too.
Thanks for responding to the post. Since the water pump is leaking oil because of bad seals I will replace them.
Just a comment. I had the same problems with my 37 flatty. If they are stock pumps and you have a more modern pressurized radiator sysyem..they will leak. The stock pumps were not made for the 13+ lbs pressure caps..the radiators were non-pressurized. So try with out a pressure cap and it may not leak. If you live in warm climate use straight watter and a water wetter for best cooling..nothing transfere heat like just water.
those old style pumps will leak oil, replace with the type with the new bearings and you should be fine.
Hell, let the flatty mark its territory...if it's still pumping water and water's not leaking, they're not broken!
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