Water pump rebuild kits

[Ron]

I am in the process of rebuilding me 327/350 hp 67 motor. I've been told by my engine man to buy a rebuilt water pump, because he thinks the rebuild kit I can purchase from an aftermarket vendor will mostlikely fail prematurely or leak. Anyone know of success or horror stories about rebuilding original water pump? Thanks, Ron

[Joe L.]

Re: Water pump rebuild kits

Ron-----

The water pump rebuild kit available from the few vendors that carry them are, essentially, the same as those used by commercial rebuilders. Most of the shaft and bearing assemblies are manufactured by the German bearing manufacturer "FAG" or one of several Japanese bearing manufacturers. All of these are excellent. Delco-New Departure-Hyatt no longer manufactures these bearing assemblies as they did for many years. The original Delco bearings had a very different end configuration than current day replacement bearing assemblies, but this is not visible with the pump installed on the car.

Original water pump seal/seat assemblies were a two-piece carbon-ceramic seal with a neoprene or Buna-N rubber bellows. The carbon-faced seal was mounted in a brass cup with a stainless or carbon steel coil spring tensioner. These seals were manufactured by a number of suppliers to GM.

Most replacement seals on the market today are of very similar constuction, except that they are carbon-carbon or carbon-polymer seal type. Some modern-day seal/seat assemblies are of one piece construction and this represents an improvement. Also, many modern-day seals use no brass in their construction but, instead, use stainless steel. This is the best, in my opinion.

Anyway, after this long-winded discertation, the bottom-line is, you should have no difficulty obtaining a water pump kit of equal or better quality than those used by commercial rebuilders. The biggest problem is the actual rebuilding process itself. I studied this process and, after many abortive and less-than-satisfactory attempts, learned how to do it for my own satisfaction. In fact, thru 1970 GM chassis overhaul manuals contained complete water pump rebuild procedures, which is one of the primary sources that I learned from. However, apparently due to a general lack of successful field overhauls for water pumps, from 1971-on GM deleted the water pump repair procedures from chassis overhaul manuals, discontinued from service most water pump rebuild service parts, and recommended that water pumps be serviced as an assembly only.

If you choose not to do it yourself, you can send your pump to NCRS-member Bill Mock in Bartlesville, OK. Bill has specialized for years in water pump rebuilding and advertises in the Driveline classifieds.

[Joe L.]

Re: Water pump rebuild kits

Ron-----

The water pump rebuild kit available from the few vendors that carry them are, essentially, the same as those used by commercial rebuilders. Most of the shaft and bearing assemblies are manufactured by the German bearing manufacturer "FAG" or one of several Japanese bearing manufacturers. All of these are excellent. Delco-New Departure-Hyatt no longer manufactures these bearing assemblies as they did for many years. The original Delco bearings had a very different end configuration than current day replacement bearing assemblies, but this is not visible with the pump installed on the car.

Original water pump seal/seat assemblies were a two-piece carbon-ceramic seal with a neoprene or Buna-N rubber bellows. The carbon-faced seal was mounted in a brass cup with a stainless or carbon steel coil spring tensioner. These seals were manufactured by a number of suppliers to GM.

Most replacement seals on the market today are of very similar constuction, except that they are carbon-carbon or carbon-polymer seal type. Some modern-day seal/seat assemblies are of one piece construction and this represents an improvement. Also, many modern-day seals use no brass in their construction but, instead, use stainless steel. This is the best, in my opinion.

Anyway, after this long-winded discertation, the bottom-line is, you should have no difficulty obtaining a water pump kit of equal or better quality than those used by commercial rebuilders. The biggest problem is the actual rebuilding process itself. I studied this process and, after many abortive and less-than-satisfactory attempts, learned how to do it for my own satisfaction. In fact, thru 1970 GM chassis overhaul manuals contained complete water pump rebuild procedures, which is one of the primary sources that I learned from. However, apparently due to a general lack of successful field overhauls for water pumps, from 1971-on GM deleted the water pump repair procedures from chassis overhaul manuals, discontinued from service most water pump rebuild service parts, and recommended that water pumps be serviced as an assembly only.

If you choose not to do it yourself, you can send your pump to NCRS-member Bill Mock in Bartlesville, OK. Bill has specialized for years in water pump rebuilding and advertises in the Driveline classifieds.

[John]

Re: Water pump rebuild-while we are on the subjct

My car sat on jack-stands all winter while I rebuilt the front and rear suspension. this is a 70 lt1 with 34,000 miles mostly original. So I get it out a few times, then a few times more and start running it harder. I got a pretty good size puddle on the floor and after looking seems to be coming from water pump directly above the balancer. I replaced the lost coolant (maybe a glass full) and this repeats itself 3 or 4 times. I start searching driveline for a pump, but wait the leaking stops. I take it out (many times) and run it harder and in hotter weather trying to make it leak, but it no longer leaks.

I am not sure what I should do now.

[John]

Re: Water pump rebuild-while we are on the subjct

My car sat on jack-stands all winter while I rebuilt the front and rear suspension. this is a 70 lt1 with 34,000 miles mostly original. So I get it out a few times, then a few times more and start running it harder. I got a pretty good size puddle on the floor and after looking seems to be coming from water pump directly above the balancer. I replaced the lost coolant (maybe a glass full) and this repeats itself 3 or 4 times. I start searching driveline for a pump, but wait the leaking stops. I take it out (many times) and run it harder and in hotter weather trying to make it leak, but it no longer leaks.

I am not sure what I should do now.

[Joe L.]

Re: Water pump rebuild-while we are on the subjct

John----

Most Chevrolet water pumps have a "weep hole" at the base of the shaft "snout". I suspect that what happened is, upon long sitting, some encrustation temporarily compromised the carbon-ceramic mechanical seal interface. Then, coolant leaked out in minor amounts through the "weep hole". When the carbon-ceramic surfaces self-cleaned or "lapped in" after operation, the leak stopped. I'd leave it alone, but watch it carefully for reoccurrence.

[Joe L.]

Re: Water pump rebuild-while we are on the subjct

John----

Most Chevrolet water pumps have a "weep hole" at the base of the shaft "snout". I suspect that what happened is, upon long sitting, some encrustation temporarily compromised the carbon-ceramic mechanical seal interface. Then, coolant leaked out in minor amounts through the "weep hole". When the carbon-ceramic surfaces self-cleaned or "lapped in" after operation, the leak stopped. I'd leave it alone, but watch it carefully for reoccurrence.

[Kris Schmalenberg]

Re: Water pump rebuild kits

I just had the water pump from my 1958 done. The kits sold by vendors are usually quality items but cost is also important. The kit from corvette central retails for about $50 american but I had my local jobbing shop send my pump out and the total cost was $32 canadian. I got the same pump back with no headaches and it works just fine. Good luck!

[Kris Schmalenberg]

Re: Water pump rebuild kits

I just had the water pump from my 1958 done. The kits sold by vendors are usually quality items but cost is also important. The kit from corvette central retails for about $50 american but I had my local jobbing shop send my pump out and the total cost was $32 canadian. I got the same pump back with no headaches and it works just fine. Good luck!

[Gene M.]

Re: Water pump rebuild parts?

I know of a place to purchase water pump ceramic seal assemblies at REASONABLE cost (in archives). Does anyone know of a place to purchase the bearing assembly's at a REASONABLE cost? I do not consider fifty bucks for a water pump rebuild kit any where near REASONABLE.

[Gene M.]

Re: Water pump rebuild parts?

I know of a place to purchase water pump ceramic seal assemblies at REASONABLE cost (in archives). Does anyone know of a place to purchase the bearing assembly's at a REASONABLE cost? I do not consider fifty bucks for a water pump rebuild kit any where near REASONABLE.

[Joe L.]

Re: Water pump rebuild parts?

Gene----

Water pump bearing/shaft assemblies can be purchased from many industrail bearing suppliers. The problem is, the price is usually ridiculous. Several yeras ago, when I was looking for a source to buy water pump rebuild parts in the Los Angeles area(where there are many automotive parts rebuilders)I discovered a place called Salgado Automotive Rebuilders located at 3975 Whittier Bl., Los Angeles, CA phone (323) 269-7977. At the time, they sold me what they called a water pump rebuild kit which included an OEM-quality seal, an "FAG" bearing/shaft assembly, and a water pump rear plate gasket. The price was $5.00 per kit. This was a very funky operation, but you might want to give them a call.

Incidentally, about a month ago I located and purchased four NOS Delco-New Departure-Hyatt bearing/shaft assemblies. I paid $10 each for them which I thought was a REAL GOOD deal. Now I've got a lifetime supply of the "real McCoy"

[Joe L.]

Re: Water pump rebuild parts?

Gene----

Water pump bearing/shaft assemblies can be purchased from many industrail bearing suppliers. The problem is, the price is usually ridiculous. Several yeras ago, when I was looking for a source to buy water pump rebuild parts in the Los Angeles area(where there are many automotive parts rebuilders)I discovered a place called Salgado Automotive Rebuilders located at 3975 Whittier Bl., Los Angeles, CA phone (323) 269-7977. At the time, they sold me what they called a water pump rebuild kit which included an OEM-quality seal, an "FAG" bearing/shaft assembly, and a water pump rear plate gasket. The price was $5.00 per kit. This was a very funky operation, but you might want to give them a call.

Incidentally, about a month ago I located and purchased four NOS Delco-New Departure-Hyatt bearing/shaft assemblies. I paid $10 each for them which I thought was a REAL GOOD deal. Now I've got a lifetime supply of the "real McCoy"

[Gene M.]

Re: Water pump rebuild parts?

Joe Thank you for the info on the water pump rebuilding parts. I'll give them a call. I must have 6 or 7 waterpumps sitting around (all cleaned, bead blasted and striped down) waiting for new bearings.

[Gene M.]

Re: Water pump rebuild parts?

Joe Thank you for the info on the water pump rebuilding parts. I'll give them a call. I must have 6 or 7 waterpumps sitting around (all cleaned, bead blasted and striped down) waiting for new bearings.