71 Green 454

When you guys replace your water pump, do you paint it to match your engine? I'm assuming yes, but just curious.
Since I'm replacing my radiator and hoses, I thought I would go ahead and replace the water pump.

Thanks

sfallison

I painted mine to match the engine color. A black pump looks odd on an orange engine.
Not to mention, that the paint is cheaply done. I stripped it, primed it, and painted it chevy orange.

Revi

Water pumps were installed during engine assembly at Flint and Tonowanda. The engine/water pump assembly were painted at the same time.

It's your choice if you choose to paint it or not.

theblackvette

Did you get an aftermarket waterpump?

If so don't toss the original out, those can be rebuilt and I had one done from a company and they did great!

70Yellowbird

I saved the original from my '70 ... can you please post (or PM me) who rebuilt your water pump?

Many thanks.

71 Green 454

I was going to get a rebuilt one from NAPA. Have you recorded the numbers off of your water pump? If so, would you let me know what they are?

Funny story, when I bought my car from the original owner in 1975, the original water pump had already been replaced. After I replaced the 4 drive belts I was watching the pulleys at idle and they appeared to be slightly out of round. I first thought it was an optical illusion, like when you wiggle a pencil and it looks like rubber.
Anyway, like you Marc, this was driving me nuts. Shortly thereafter, the water pump seal started leaking, so I replaced the water pump. The guy asked me the size of the pulley shaft. Ohhhh, so the light in my head turned on and upon inspection, the wrong water pump (smaller shaft) was on the car. I purchased the correct one and now the pulleys were perfectly round.

theblackvette

Well since the original water pump has gone POOF no issue with keeping one that does not exist then.

There are plenty of original correct numbers 1971 water pumps out there. But if you don't give a rat's azz about numbers then simply have that NAPA one installed and forget about it. I have to look at my pics to see if I have the numbers on it. I do know it was a perfect match for my car and had it rebuilt for like $80 bucks. I paid very little for the water pump as there are plenty of ones available.

71 Green 454

The WP on my car now is a rebuilt one I bought at NAPA in 1976. I just checked the casting numbers and they are:

3856284 with date code E 18 7

I believe it's for a late 1967 BB, or an early 1968 BB.

There's nothing wrong with this one, I was just thinking about replacing it since I'm already in there and putting in a DeWitts radiator and all new hoses.

Also, should I keep my original radiator, or just throw it away? The tanks are still in good shape.

theblackvette

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES throw that unit away!!!!!!!! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me tell you in SPANISH since you live sorta near me. NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

At the VERY LEAST put it up on the forum as is and sell it. But, if it were me, I would keep it in storage. In the event you decide to sell the car (you have toyed with that idea) and I was even interested I would have made an allowance for original parts in the box. Some buyers are like that and some don't care. You want to cater to ALL sellers. And who knows? You may end up getting the bug and want to try to get the car flighted one day. But, do not toss that unit in the garbage especially if you are saying it is in good shape. That is my story and I am sticking to it!

F4Gary

Since we are on the subject of water pumps, do you guys recommend staying with stock or are the aluminum higher flow pumps better. I have a DeWitts radiator.

71 Green 454

Let me get this straight, are you telling me to keep the original radiator?

OK, when I get my new radiator I'll put the old one in the box and store it with the original A/C compressor I kept when I replaced it.

Thanks

theblackvette

SI SENOR FROG VERDE!!!!!!!!

(green frog for an amazing green 454!)

70Yellowbird

Don't throw away your date coded rebuilt water pump. It has good value and is 'correct' for someones late 1967 BB, or early 1968 BB. If you don't want to save it, you could offer it for sale here on the Forum, or elsewhere. Sorry, I don't have any idea what it could sell for.

Good luck.

dugsgms74

I have a early 68 427 car with a aftermarket pump casting, if you want to sell it let me know.

71 Green 454

OK, I will let you know. I didn't know the numbers on the water pump until I removed the pulley and discovered that it was a 3856284 with the E 18 7 date. Apparently this one was rebuilt using a 3/4" shaft for my '71 BB, where yours should be a 5/8", according to my research.
I haven't purchased a replacement WP yet, NAPA didn't have one.

theblackvette

Wanna go NCRS with me?

Was your build date of your car after April 5th?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-3992077-D571-DATED-WATER-PUMP-CORVETTE-454-CORVETTE-ONLY-RESTORED-/261555915409?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ce5f28a91&vxp=mtr

71 Green 454

Yes, April 19, 1971....but I haven't caught the NCRS bug that you have.

Thanks for the tip on the WP, but I think I'll just leave the '67/'68 BB WP in there for now. I received the DeWitts aluminum radiator today, man is that thing a work of art.

63vette427

I put a Dewitt radiator in my car last year. It really is a nice radiator. Mine was a perfect fit and couldn't be happier. I changed out my water put with a Stewart's stage 2 waterpump while I was in there..

68/70Vette

Save a few pounds with an Edelbrock aluminum water pump.