Water pump life?

[Timothy B.]

What is typical for life of a water pump on early Vettes? I know it will vary tremendously, but my 327/300HP car just seems to keep going through them. The last two have been rebuilt water pumps. Neither one has leaked, but both (from different rebuilders) after about a year and very low miles started making noises - similar to a cyclic squeak. Now the second one is starting to make noise.

Is there any way to lubricate waterpump bearings? Should I wait till total failure or is some water pump noise normal? I checked pulleys, etc. for proper alignment and nothing abnormal was found.

[Duke W.]

Re: Water pump life?

The bearings are permanentely lubricated, and the OE bearings were probably good for about 50-60K miles on average. There is a better bearing called a "ball roller bearing", that replaces the front set of balls with rollers. This bearing will probably last at least 50 percent longer, but you will have to have to find someone to install it if you can't do the job yourself.

Any off the shelf rebuilt pump will likely have the ball-ball type. The sixties vintage water pumps use a standard 5/8" bearing. Later, Chevrolet used a 3/4" bearing. Both sizes are available in ball-ball or ball-roller. These bearings are of a standard SAE design, but quality may vary between vendors.

You may have an out of the ordinary problem if bearings are squeaking after only a year. Check out your belt configuation and pulley alignment, and make sure the belts are not overtensioned.

I've also found that a quick shot of silcone spray on friction surface of the belts will eliminate belt sqeak. Just hold the button open for about one complete cycle of the belt.

Duke