Water pump questions?
08-18-2011, 07:20 PM
#1
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2019 Corvette of the Year Winner
St. Jude Donor '15
Water pump questions?
I was thinking on my ride home from work today about an over heating issue that I am dealing with in one of my modified cars.
Because of some issues with the motor, it ended up getting completely rebuilt. The previous builder had used a hodge podge of various quality parts to be the motor. It was a 502 and now a 396. Because of the previous parts used, I started thinking about the water pump.
Here are my questions....
1. How do you know when a water pump is worn out? Do they just leak water through the pump seal? How do you know it is pumping ok?
2. I know that water pumps can be specified clockwise or counter clockwise. What happens if you get a pump that is specified one rotation and you run it backwards? How can you tell that the pump is pumping and flowing?
Are there any other nuances about water pumps that I should be aware of?
Because of some issues with the motor, it ended up getting completely rebuilt. The previous builder had used a hodge podge of various quality parts to be the motor. It was a 502 and now a 396. Because of the previous parts used, I started thinking about the water pump.
Here are my questions....
1. How do you know when a water pump is worn out? Do they just leak water through the pump seal? How do you know it is pumping ok?
2. I know that water pumps can be specified clockwise or counter clockwise. What happens if you get a pump that is specified one rotation and you run it backwards? How can you tell that the pump is pumping and flowing?
Are there any other nuances about water pumps that I should be aware of?
08-19-2011, 01:31 PM
#2
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Location: Washington Michigan
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08-19-2011, 03:49 PM
#3
Race Director
I was thinking on my ride home from work today about an over heating issue that I am dealing with in one of my modified cars.
Because of some issues with the motor, it ended up getting completely rebuilt. The previous builder had used a hodge podge of various quality parts to be the motor. It was a 502 and now a 396. Because of the previous parts used, I started thinking about the water pump.
Here are my questions....
1. How do you know when a water pump is worn out? Do they just leak water through the pump seal? How do you know it is pumping ok?
2. I know that water pumps can be specified clockwise or counter clockwise. What happens if you get a pump that is specified one rotation and you run it backwards? How can you tell that the pump is pumping and flowing?
Are there any other nuances about water pumps that I should be aware of?
Because of some issues with the motor, it ended up getting completely rebuilt. The previous builder had used a hodge podge of various quality parts to be the motor. It was a 502 and now a 396. Because of the previous parts used, I started thinking about the water pump.
Here are my questions....
1. How do you know when a water pump is worn out? Do they just leak water through the pump seal? How do you know it is pumping ok?
2. I know that water pumps can be specified clockwise or counter clockwise. What happens if you get a pump that is specified one rotation and you run it backwards? How can you tell that the pump is pumping and flowing?
Are there any other nuances about water pumps that I should be aware of?
If a pump runs in reverse it might create an overheating situation. A long time ago, I switched the connections for the heater flow on a '57 Chev and after a short while it would almost peg the temp gauge, therefore I think the water must circulate in the proper direction through the proper hoses to cool correctly.
To see if the pump is working and flowing you should be able to tell by taking off the radiator cap and see if the water is moving (best to do with less than full liquid capacity so it doesn't just flow out of the fill cap)
08-20-2011, 12:11 AM
#4
Race Director
Hey I know that pic... Bill educated me on the good and bad of water pumps...
The old impellers work great it's the new stamped impellers that don't work worth a darn...
Stewart pumps for me as they work great and last a long time...
Dave
