S2 water pump - salvageable?

I've just received a '70 Europa S2, which has been sitting since 1980.

Removed the water pump, as all the hoses to it were in a sorry state. Lots of corrosion.



I think that NAPA have new pumps for around $75 : https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Water-Pump-Remfd/_/R-WP_571162_0267424297

But does the old pump look beyond salvage?

What should I do about the corrosion/deposits in the head?

Thanks!

Julian

Hi Julian!! Glutton fer punishment?!? :smirk:

About all you can do with the engine in the car is flush it out with a garden hose until the "red" disappears from what drains out. Separate the radiator from engine at both in and outlets, flush each one.

Mechanically remove as much of that goo in the head as you can before running water thru it.

Otherwise, "boiling" the block after an engine tear-down is the method used by machine shops.

...and FWIW, just replace the pump.

Welcome to the world of Lotus ownership.

You DO know about Dave Bean, yes?

Hi Doc!

I guess I am a glutton. Just sold the '73 BMW O2, and was looking for another project when this Lotus turned up. It needs a lot - which is great!

I'll get the hose out at the weekend

I've heard of Dave Bean, but haven't used him to order anything yet. There's also r.d. enterprises (Dent?) who seem to have a lot of stuff. But I'm drawing a blank on places to find used parts (I need a swirl pot - mine is completely rusted out).

How are you doing? Hope all is well in your neck of the woods

Julian

All well here.

Look to Renault stuff for engine and gearbox bits.

..and PM me for any esoteric things! I ~may~ have some sources.

BTW.. sooo glad to see you've come to th' ~Dark Side~!!! :smirk:

I'm Jealous Julian
If you want to keep the same pump there are people on the "Worst" coast that rebuild them

DrEntropy said:

All well here.

Look to Renault stuff for engine and gearbox bits.

..and PM me for any esoteric things! I ~may~ have some sources.

Click to expand...

Just placed a biggish order with Dent ... new water pump, new hoses, other bits and pieces.

Having a hard time finding used parts - like a swirl pot (mine is rusted out) and dash crash pad moulding (I have the old one, but it is in three pieces - the new replacements are ~ $300, so I'm considering repair attempts. Perhaps if I glued the three peices together and then put a layer of fibreglass over the whole thing. But it's always going to be weak.)

Next job is to get the DCOE 45 carb off for inspection. There is what I believe to be a Hermes header attached to the carb. The nuts under the carb holding it to the header are a pain to get to.

Then I need to extract the gas tank and check its state - I'm expecting the worst.

DNK said:

I'm Jealous Julian
If you want to keep the same pump there are people on the "Worst" coast that rebuild them

Click to expand...

I ordered a new one. Although I haven't taken it apart, I expect the old one is too far gone - there's quite a bit of rust evident, although the impeller does still turn.

That tank may be "unobtanium" by now. I suggest you ask around the hot-rod crowd, they may know a good fabricator or suggest other sources. And check https://www.summitracing.com/search/department/cooling-heating/section/overflow-tanks-catch-cans Summit. ISTR some Formula Fords used similar cans.

Fibreglass would make the crash pad more solid, but do a test area first to be sure the resin doesn't melt the original material.

Any progress, Julian?