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MG TD TF 1500 - Hole in water pump housing

I am restoring 1954 mgtf. It has not run in 20 years. I took off the water pump and found a hole about the size of the diameter of a #2 pencil on the back of the water pump housing near the bottom. Is it supposed to be there? If so, what is it for?
Ed Eastman

If it is an original water pump, I am fairly sure it is to stop the bearing "chamber" (two bearings) being over preasured with grease; the pump should also have a grease nipple. If too much grease were applied without an escape route, then the internal water seal could be pushed out of position. I have an original pump at home, so I will check.
Roger Wilson

Ed - worry not ! Checking my spare pump there's a slot in position described. There were two makers I believe and a hole may well be correct for the 'other' make. Hole/slot is there in case seal fails water is less likely to enter bearings. Suggest you replace seal after 20yrs ! and check/grease bearings as well.

Hope this helps.

Cheers John.
J.C Mitchell

Ed,
If you can find one...(IMHO)...look for a Bruno Pump! My understanding is these were made for racing and are far better than the stock one. I have had one in Izzy for about 6 years and been very happy with it.
I got mine from Mike Goodman in CA. re-built and ready to go....have never had a problem. (still carry my re-built stock as a spare...but obvious this one is built much better)
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Virtually all cars have a hole in the pump bottom- called a weep hole. Mostly as JC said above, without it, there would be no way to know the water seal failed, water would get into the bearings, and the pump would sieze, etc. This way, you see a leak on the floor, and fix it first. George
George Butz

Abingdon Spares was out of seals (the carbon one) and was waiting for a shipment...I went with their replacement pump...same casting...no grease fitting, and the hole is still there.
By the way, the seal is out of an English washing machine...it is the same one that seals the tub!!!!!
Ahhhh, carburators from a plumber, and water pump seals from the same trade!!!!!
gordon lawson - TD 27667

I have now examined my water poump, plus a cross section drawing in my TD workshop manual. The underside hole connects to a recess within the pump that is behind the rear bearing, but in front of the water seal. Thus the hole permits overpressure grease that has gone through the rear bearing to escape, as well as allowing any water that has seeped past the water seal to drain away. The newer pumps don't have a grease nipple or an underside hole, but they do have greased and sealed for life bearings; we must hope that the water seal lasts a long time.
Roger Wilson

This thread was discussed between 26/06/2006 and 28/06/2006

MG TD TF 1500 index

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