LS5 Water Pump

[Sheldon S.]

I just finished rebuilding the water pump for my 71 LS5, the shaft and bearing assembly that I installed is the larger diameter shaft style and the repalcement output side of the bearing shaft is about 1/4 inch longer than the original one. I read the arcticle in corvette magazine on rebuilding water pumps for vettes and it says that when putting the flange on it should be 5 5/8 inches from where the water pumps bolts to the engine to the front of the flange. With this longer shaft it is going to be 5 7/8 inches. Is there a clearance problem with the clutch and fan with the radiator by leaving it this way or will it be Ok? I have two other shaft/bearing assemblies for the smaller style output shaft and both are shorter on the output side.
Thanks in advance
Sheldon

[Joe L.]

Re: LS5 Water Pump

Sheldon-----

I show the waterpump hub dimension for the application to be 5-3/4". In any event, be that as it may. It's not the crux of your question.

The waterpump hub can be installed on your shaft at any dimension, whether it's 5-5/8" or 5-3/4" or some other dimension. If the overall shaft length is longer, it may or may not be a problem. If the pulley and fan clutch will install over the shaft pilot (the length of shaft extending from the hub forward) WITH THE FAN CLUTCH FLANGE FULLY SEATING ON THE FACE OF THE PULLEY, then the extra length is no problem. If the fan clutch flange will not seat on the pulley, then the length of the pilot is too long. In that case, you'll need to grind off as much of the length as is necessary.