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TR parts and Triumph parts, TR bits, Triumph Car Spares and accessories are available for TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR4, TR4A, TR5, TR6, TR7, TR8, Spitfire and Stag and other TR models are available from British car spares and parts company LBCarCo.

Triumph TR6 - Water Pump

Are any of the parts distributors carrying water pumps of good quality these days? I had my OE pump rebuilt by Flying Dutchman a few years ago because at the time there was a ton of negative buzz about the "County" and other aftermarket pumps on the market. The Flying Dutchman guys came highly recommended but the seal is already seeping a bit after 3 short years.
DWS Smith

I had my TR8 pump rebuilt
DNK

I put a new water pump on my car 4 years ago (I think)- no problems to date. Don't know make but probably sourced from Moss.
Michael Petryschuk

Thanks for the feedback guys... With my confidence as low as it currently is when it comes to the so called rebuilders, I may go with a new one this time. Not only is it dripping out of the weep hole, but it's starting to make a bit of noise as well. What a disappointment considering I have only put a couple of hundred miles on the unit. The Backorder Factory is offering the single pulley 1/2 inch models for a little over 50 dollars so I may go that route. It looks like out of town travel in the TR may require carrying a spare unit just in case...


DWS Smith

I checked my records and put my pump on April 2011 and have travelled about 22000 miles since including trips to Adirondack Mountains, Northern Ontario, Western Michigan and as far south as Smokey Mountain Park Tennessee- no problems.

For $50 I think piece of mind with new is worth it.

But in that interim, parts I didn't replace when I rebuilt the car in 2005 have failed- alternator- the voltage control regulator failed- I bought a rebuild kit out of England and rebuilt it in 2013 and it has worked well since. The bladder in the power brake actuator failed in 2011 and I replaced the whole actuator. In 2010 a valve spring broke and I replaced all of them. This year a front wheel coil spring broke and I replaced all of them. The original fuel pump failed in 2008 and the replacement pump failed in 2014. The failure in 2014 was a roadside failure and I had to jury rig an electric fuel pump (which I bought from a car parts store 20 miles away and had it delivered to me on the roadside) in to get the car running. I now keep the electric fuel pump in the trunk and I can have it in and running in less than an hour if needed. Luckily it happened when the store was still open

If you still have the original carburetors in the car I recommend you keep a pair of spare diaphragms in the trunk. In 2012 I was on the road and could barely get to 60 mph. It turned out the new diaphragms I installed in the rebuild in 2005 had developed holes. (probably due to the alcohol in the gas these days) I was told I was lucky to get home. If needed a change over on the road would be an hour or less.

In summary I guess it is always a crap shoot with the age of these cars what will go next but you plan to be flexible and expect some type of failure you may need to deal with and plan the time accordingly. I would say the above for me were minor inconveniences in the 35000 miles I have put on the car since I did a frame up restoration in 2005 as they did happen somewhat close to home and I usually do my own repairs. Being 2 days from home or more may be somewhat more inconvenient but what the heck. It's a great car to drive.

Michael Petryschuk

Michael -
I agree on the new aspect when it makes sense. Although I have had my share of bad new parts as well. When I decided to go with the rebuild on my pump a few years ago there was a lot of bad buzz regarding the new pumps on the market. I spoke with a few reps from the popular parts guys recently and the current buzz is that the pumps are more reliable than they were a while back. I also believe that the rebuild of an old stock unit (if done correctly) makes sense as well. If a new shaft, bearing and seal of good quality are used and the unit is balanced the end result should be a pump that will last a good long time. Unfortunately some shops will cut corners and use the old shaft and sub standard bearings and seals in order to save a few bucks.


DWS Smith

No disagreement here on the new vs rebuilt. You go with the best choice based on the information at hand at the time.

Your picture looks awfully familiar. Similar colour to mine. I attach one from about the same stage you are at. Just after final paint and before assembly of interior etc.


Michael Petryschuk

Michael -

It looks like we went down similar paths on the restorations. Mine was an eight year venture. I sometime refer to it as the trail of tears. LOL...
I did however manage to retain my deep passion for the car.
DWS Smith

I had to sell a kidney to afford it but I decided to pull the trigger on this pump.
A local club member has had one in his car for 5 trouble free years. Aluminum body and balanced pulley, top notch shaft, superior seals and bearings as well as a 6 blade prop. They can set you up with either a 3/8 or 1/2 pulley and the units come in both natural and satin finish...
I was shocked to see it on my front porch today as I only ordered it on Monday... These guys are located in the UK...


DWS Smith

This thread was discussed between 08/09/2015 and 18/09/2015

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