dated 608 water pump

[Joe M.]

Duration of manufacture for the 608 water pump?

If a pump is dated 5.12.7, was this pump made in 1957 or 1967 or 1977?

Thanks,
Joe

[Terry M.]

Re: dated 608 water pump

FWIW: I have a 327 out of a 1967 Chevelle (early build, October 1966 as I recall), but that 608 water pump has NO date on it. If any of you want more accurate dates from that engine, I can easily get them.

[Joe M.]

Re: dated 608 water pump

If I recall correctly, the production pumps had no dates. The dates did appear on service replacement 608 pumps. ??

[Jack H.]

Re: dated 608 water pump

With a single digit for the year code ('7' vs. '67'), I'd conclude that you have a Saginaw casting, assembled into a completed water pump at Flint. Used originals I've pulled from scrap yard engines from the 60's were almost always dated.

Other water pump housings from that foundry typically weren't dated until, say, 1964-65 while equivalent castings from Tonawanda bore date codes as far back as 1959.

In terms of how to tell if the single digit year code is '67, vs. '77, I don't believe there's a way to distinguish. Plus, since water pumps when installed have their front surface obscured by the water pump pulley, it's VERY difficult for judges to clearly read the casting ID info...

With a 'calibrated' finger, it's possible to reach below the pulley and grossly determing the presense/absence of the casting date/casting number. But, that's about it unless one is REALLY good with an inspector's mirror!

[Terry M.]

Re: dated 608 water pump

Now that you raise the Tonawanda/Flint issue I know my Chevelle engine was assembled at Flint, and I assUmed the water pump was cast and assembled there as well -- now you are makign me look more carefully at it. Thanks Jack

[Jack H.]

Re: dated 608 water pump

Hum, where's a physical sample when you need one....

In addition to the 2-digit year code to distinguish Saginaw/Flint vs. Tonawanda origin (that rule is NOT universally true for all castings!), there's typically other forensic tell tales. For example, some pump housings from Tonawanda have two THICK RAISED reinforcing ribs on the LH side of the pump's face extending from the center to the outside.

Also, it's pretty common to see an alpha designator 'somewhere' on the pump with 'T' indicating a Tonawanda source and 'S' saying the casting was made in Saginaw. Here's a picture of the BACK side of 3859326 pump housing ('63L-67, HP, SB) with an 'S1' emboss which I presume to mean 'Saginaw' and the specific mold identity...

[Joe M.]

Re: dated 608 water pump

So an original 57 vette, 608 water pump would likely not have a cast date?

Would a Flint casting with a date constitute a deduction for 57 ?

Do I have that right?

[John D.]

Re: dated 608 water pump

Is it true Saginaw water pump castings were not used on corvettes. Should I grind off the offensive "S" on my $5.00 swap meet 326 water pump ???

[John H.]

Re: dated 608 water pump

Is it true Saginaw water pump castings were not used on corvettes. Should I grind off the offensive "S" on my $5.00 swap meet 326 water pump ???

John -

All small-block Corvette water pumps were cast at Saginaw and machined/assembled at Flint V-8.

[Joe L.]

Re: dated 608 water pump

Duration of manufacture for the 608 water pump?

If a pump is dated 5.12.7, was this pump made in 1957 or 1967 or 1977?

Thanks,
Joe

Joe-----


The GM #3782608 waterpump casting was first manufactured and used for the 1961 model year and last used for the 1970 model year. Manufacture of the casting ceased in late 1970 or early 1971.

Dates first appeared on the 3782608 casting in early 1964. So, all this means that the pump you have was cast on May 12, 1967.

[Joe M.]

Re: dated 608 water pump

Good info, Thanks!!
Joe