275 GTB water pump seal issues | FerrariChat
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275 GTB water pump seal issues

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by Robert Wilder, Jun 6, 2016.

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  1. Robert Wilder

    Robert Wilder Rookie

    Mar 3, 2008
    39
    Chappaqua NY
    Full Name:
    Robert H. Wilder, Jr
    #1 Robert Wilder, Jun 6, 2016
    I own 275 GTB 8669 for the pat 7 years. In 2009-10 the car was "completely" restored. At the time, the water pump had apparently had a small leak and the restorer "sealed" it but it doesn't appear he replaced any bushings or seals. In 2014 I noticed a small water pump leak and had another Ferrari mechanic purchase and install the repair kit which was supplied by a FL parts supplier. The problem actually got worse. I then ordered another set of the same parts and had a 3rd Ferrari mechanic install it. Today the leak continues. The problems are either the parts, the mechanics or that these water pump seal repair kits and the installation of the parts is tricky and/or unreliable. I noticed that Roelofs has a kit for approximately $700 that includes not only bushes and seals but the housing which, along with the seals, is designed for a 365 Daytona which, according to Roelofs, is a much better engineered product. Does anyone have any experience with the Roelofs water pump seal & housing conversion kit and/or the solution by Bell Engineering in the UK that appears to take the existing 250/275 housing and convert it to a housing similar to what Roelofs appears to be fabricating ?
     
  2. DWR46

    DWR46 Formula 3
    Honorary

    Jun 19, 2012
    2,038
    #2 DWR46, Jun 6, 2016
    For about 20 years, the springs in the original style replacement seals have been a lower tension and result in frequent leaks. If we use an original style "new" seal today, we always save the "old" spring and transfer it to the new seal. However, for a number of years we have usually converted the seal arrangement to the Daytona style sealing system. This involves some machining to the pump pieces, and is probably what you are purchasing with the Roelofs kits.
     
  3. simonc

    simonc Formula Junior

    Nov 1, 2003
    884
    Herfordshire, UK
    Full Name:
    Simon Campbell
    #3 simonc, Jun 8, 2016
    Robert is referring to Bell Classics rather than Bell Engineering, I think, and I must be open and declare straight away that I am the manager of Bell Classics. We manufacture this water pump seal kit and it has been successfully fitted to a number of cars here in the UK, both by ourselves and by other classic specialists. We have had no reliability issues to date. Our conversion consists of machining the original water pump housing to accept a modern lip seal and then fitting a machined stainless steel disc to the impeller using the alignment tool supplied. This kit fits 250 and 275 water pumps, and we will soon introduce kits suitable for 330 and for 365 water pumps. I would be happy to answer any questions concerning these kits.

    I cannot comment on the Roelof water pump kit as I have not used this, but we do buy other products from Barry and must say that we are always impressed by their quality. I have no doubt their water pump kits are excellent.
     
  4. simonc

    simonc Formula Junior

    Nov 1, 2003
    884
    Herfordshire, UK
    Full Name:
    Simon Campbell
    #4 simonc, Jun 8, 2016
    Robert - PM sent
     
  5. kare

    kare F1 Rookie
    Consultant

    Nov 11, 2003
    3,844
    #5 kare, Jun 8, 2016
    Doesn't using stainless in a wet envoironment risk light alloy components of the engine?
     
  6. prance

    prance Formula Junior

    May 4, 2005
    513
    Agoura Hills
    Full Name:
    morris
    #6 prance, Jun 10, 2016
    This is the cure my mechanic uses and it works perfectly. Unfortunately, you need a real mechanic who can machine parts.
     

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