AKS

[oillite]

I had an AKS pump but the alloy that it was made of was of a dubious nature and it corroded away, when I first got it I had to modify it as the bearing kept moving out of alignment.
I now have a Burton one fitted with the earlier type casket, you get a choice now so you can run the standard mk2 Ford cortina bearing if you wish (mad enough), I think the Burton is a much better made job plus with their toothed drive belt set theres less strain on the alternator/dynamo.

(plus it helps that my mate works there lol. )

[SADLOTUS]

I agree that the AKS front casing was of dubious alloy but mine lasted 22 years before the pump eventually went and I discovered the dubious alloy

Changed back to the rebuilt original that was hanging on the garage wall and no probs so far after 5 years

I'd like a Burton toothed drive belt too but I've never got round to fitting one

[nigelrbfurness]

I have had an AKS pump in my tall-block twin cam for 20 years with no problems at all, though I can't vouch for the quality of the alloy, I do remember it took some fettling at the sump gasket face to get a good fit. I built up the pump module with a Mk3 cortina kit using the original impeller and replaced the carbon/plastic spacer with a brass one I machined up (and polished) myself to the same dimensions, other than that it is fitted in the way Bert Wood intended. I also have a spare pump module which I intended to assemble but never got round to it and haven't needed it yet! How I managed to obtain this item from the aforesaid Mr. Wood, who was "AKS" and whom I assume is now long deceased, would make interesting reading for another time, perhaps!

[john.p.clegg]

The last I heard of them was over three years ago....

Hi John

You were close, the business was being run from Trawden in Lancashire - we still have the premises & kit - but my father has retired.

Is it just the pump that you require - or do you have one with a tired bearing - I could probably remove the old bearing & insert a new one. I will have a look around probably over the weekend & see what I can find & let you know. I should still be able to get hold of a new bearing off the shelf.

Regards Kurt Wood


John

[pereirac]

I was warned two keep away from the AKS front cover about 20 years ago due to the quality of the casting and the alignment of the holes..

[nigelrbfurness]

I would have no reason to sing the praises of Mr. Wood and his AKS pump, other than to say that I've had no trouble with mine in 20 years of hard use, but credit where credit is due and during the ten years or so he was active he did get a lot of bad press from the Lotus community. I went to Trawden and and had a look at what they were doing before I bought my assembly and without doubt Mr. Wood was an "unusual" character, but the quality of work seemd ok to me, a trained engineer. The spare capsule I have shows no signs of deterioration either (it still looks like new), nor were there any problems with installing the front cover apart from a slight step in the gasket surface that was easily fixed. I know the late Graham Arnold was extremely scathing regarding AKS customer "service", but the AKS pump I have has lasted easily as long as the previously fitted standard Lotus pump. Mine is the tall-block version and eliminates the need for a spacer with the 1760cc block. I'm sure the same arrangement is available from Burton and others. No doubt having said that, it will fail catastrophically tomorrow!

[higgyuk]

The last I heard of them was over three years ago....

Hi John

You were close, the business was being run from Trawden in Lancashire - we still have the premises & kit - but my father has retired.

Is it just the pump that you require - or do you have one with a tired bearing - I could probably remove the old bearing & insert a new one. I will have a look around probably over the weekend & see what I can find & let you know. I should still be able to get hold of a new bearing off the shelf.

Regards Kurt Wood
john,
picked up this old thred as have two AKS water pumps,1 in a 1600 twink and another in a1760.in the lotus club mag G arnold did comment that the corrosion would not have been if the pump body was assembled in the front cover with copperslip.-kurt mentioned the bearings what about the capsules?? any contact details for Kurt? regards higgyuk






John

[john.p.clegg]

Higgy
Last contact with Kurt was in 2008,if you PM me with your email address I'll forward it on to you..

John

P.S. Still have a lump of ali in the shed waiting til I have the time and inclination to turn it..

[higgyuk]

Higgy
Last contact with Kurt was in 2008,if you PM me with your email address I'll forward it on to you..

John

P.S. Still have a lump of ali in the shed waiting til I have the time and inclination to turn it..

my e-mail is [email protected] many thanks from higgy