Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Has anyone heard of using water soluble oil in the radiator to lubricate the water pump ? This would be for a '34 1101 718.
I don't find it as a topic on this forum, and have never heard of such a thing myself until just recently. And YES my water pump is making some noise.
Thanks for any info and guidance.
TomB

I never heard of that but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. On a different note if packard was alive today would they use water lubricated bearings? They're getting very popular in marine applications.

Sure, water soluble oil was a standard staple of the auto parts stores for decades. It was normally sold as a combination rust inhibitor and water pump lube. But stop for a minute and think about it - the bearings on a water pump are protected from the coolant by seals - so how is the oil soluble oil supposed to get to the bearings? Answer - it can't until the seal fails, and the bearing is doomed when the seal fails, whether or not the water soluble oil is present. The product may have been useful as a rust inhibitor, but not as a lubricant for water pump bearings.

Replacing bearings and seals on a '34 Packard Eight pump is a very simple matter, bearings and seals are standard items available at any decent bearing outlet. The original bearings were open bearings so you needed to regularly lubricate via the oiler on the pump housing. But today, just buy sealed bearings - keep the oiler for show.

I don't think it was meant to lube the water pump bearings, they were lubricated with a grease gun. It was meant to prevent wear on the seals. Also to prevent rust.

Every gas station used to have little cans of water pump lubricant on the shelf. Haven't seen them in years since everyone went to antifreeze coolant. Bar's Leaks is the closest thing. You could pour the oil into your rad and leave the solids in the jar.

..they were lubricated with a grease gun

Oil in the case of these Packard pumps.

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Thanks BDC

Thanks O D,
Appreciate the info AND the water pump diagram. You're right of course, there is no way for that oil to actually get to the beatings, but of course that bit hadn't dawned on me.
All the best,
Tom

Thanks Rusty,
You're probably right. And between you and OD, I have a much better picture of of how the pump was meant to be operated and maintained.
I'm learning !
Best Regards,
Tom

Lathe soluble oil is readily available and works well. It's primary purpose was as a corrosion inhibitor. An egg cup full per radiator. I now use Water Wetter in all of my old vehicles. You never see any rusty lathe coolant systems. However, as with the other soluble oils, they rot your rubber hoses. You get only 30 years out of them instead of 60 years. I'm happy to get another 30 years myself, to get to the "ton".

Peter Toet

The problem with putting on a ton is that frame off restorations don't work only some cosmetic touch ups