Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

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jlakes85
Posts: 228
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:07 am

Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

Post by jlakes85 »

Hi All,

Fairly recently I picked up a set of iron LE castings for their 2.5/3 inch scale water pump. The plans call for o rings to be used on both sides of the pump. I'm a little worried that even with the right bore finish, the cast iron material will wear out the o rings prematurely (with dedicated lubrication). I always figured piston rings should be used on both sides instead. As always, I appreciate the input.

-jlakes85
hoppercar
Posts: 616
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2018 4:09 pm

Re: Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

Post by hoppercar »

I have built the same little engines pump....I noted mine slightly over size, and pressed in a bronze sleeve. Not only for wear purposes, but to prevent dust also
hoppercar
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Re: Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

Post by hoppercar »

That was bored over size......a "typo"
hoppercar
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Re: Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

Post by hoppercar »

Rust..not. "dust".....gee, I guess I fat fingered every thing on that one......!
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NP317
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Re: Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

Post by NP317 »

It was the auto correct, not your fat fingering...
~RN
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Comstock-Friend
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Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 9:05 am
Location: Sun Valley, California

Re: Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

Post by Comstock-Friend »

Most all hydraulic cylinders I've dealt with in the last 35 years are o-rings in steel bores. Maybe better lubrication than water or steam but still...
John
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Bill Shields
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Re: Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

Post by Bill Shields »

steel is one thing....cast iron another
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
jlakes85
Posts: 228
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:07 am

Re: Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

Post by jlakes85 »

I'm thinking if I send them out to get honed to size, I'll be ok to go the o-ring route?
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Bill Shields
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Re: Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

Post by Bill Shields »

I have honed cast iron bores to size and they are still rough on O-rings.

'tis the nature of the beast. A thin bronze liner is well worth the effort.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
jlakes85
Posts: 228
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:07 am

Re: Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

Post by jlakes85 »

Bill,

Sounds like I might want to upgrade myself to cast iron piston rings..I'm a little leery about the pressed in sleeve.

-jlakes85
hoppercar
Posts: 616
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2018 4:09 pm

Re: Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

Post by hoppercar »

Why are you leary of a liner...press it in, and you wind have any trouble with rust
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Bill Shields
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Re: Cast Iron Steam Water Pump

Post by Bill Shields »

either option will work...been there done that on several occasions.

Advantage to bronze sleeve and O-rings is that you can virtually forget them.

If you don't like pressed in liners, you can always glue them in with high-temp Loctite (done that also)
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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