427 water pump seal source....

[Greg L.]

Okay here is my situation....

I ordered a water pump repair kit from ZIP about a year ago and about six months ago I went to put it together. Well their instructions said to install the long grooved end into pump first...problem was that the long end had no groove...the shorter end did. I looked it over figured that they must mean the grooved end in first so that was what I did but I was wrong. While taking it apart I damaged the seal. I then called Zip and explained the situation and they agreed that the instructions were wrong and sent me a new seal at thier cost which I thought was the right thing to do and was quite happy.

Fast forward six months to last night and I went to install the kit again only to find that they sent me the wrong seal! I'll talk to them today and see if there is anything they can do about it but what I'd really like to know is does anyone know where to buy just this seal?

I mean the kit is pretty basic. You get a seal, gasket and duplex bearing which is actually made in Canada! Someone some place makes these water pump seals and I'd really like to know if anyone has any idea of where to get them from just in case ZIP won't just send me another seal. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Greg Linton
#45455

[Jim T.]

Re: 427 water pump seal source....

Check out Mr. Mock's add in the Driveline. He rebuilds waterpumps and may be of help to your problem.

[Verle R.]

Re: 427 water pump seal source....

Don't bet on it.

He would, however, sell you a rebuilt pump.

[Joe L.]

Re: 427 water pump seal source....

Greg-----

Very few rebuilders will sell the parts. The parts are very available but only in bulk quantities from the manufacturers, so it's only practical for commercial rebuilders or other distributors (like ZIP, apparently) to buy them.

There is one commercial rebuilder that, at least, used to sell them, and probably still does. However, I doubt that they would ship them; pretty much walk-in for stuff like this. That rebuilder is Salgado Automotive on Whittier Bl. in Los Angeles, CA. So, if you live in the LA area, I think you'll be able to get what you want. If you don't, you could call them and see if they will ship. The worst that can happen is that they say no.

[Greg L.]

Re: 427 water pump seal source....

Well I sent an e-mail off to ZIP and if they treat me like they did last time this seal issue will be solved in a few days. If they don't or can't then the fun begins... I see that they now sell just the seal for $15 but they advertize it as a 63-70 seal which tells me that all 63-70 corvette engines use the same seal, is this correct or do the BB water pumps use a larger seal? I know that the bearing assys are different between the SB and BB pumps but I don't know if it's in overall length or diameter or both. If it's diameter then the seals are definately different and I have a feeling that I might possibly get the wrong one again... I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[Joe L.]

Re: 427 water pump seal source....

Greg-----

I don't think that the big block and 55-70 small block waterpump seals are the same. They MAY be the same as the 71-82 small block seals; I just recall, for sure.