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I was wondering.....is there any way to determine if a water pump is original....if so is there some point in keeping an original unit?
I have owned my car for a long time and it was a pretty original driver when I bought it...and while I am not a stickler for originality I do try to not make any changes to the car that can't be undone. I also try to keep any original parts that I remove.
Well I am moving and going through all my old parts. I have from time to time changed out the water pump and I have several, one that might be the original. If there is some way to identify it from the rest I will hang on to it. Maybe get it rebuilt and sell with the car or sell to someone that needs a period replacement. If they is no way to ID it or there is no big reason to keep it then I will just get rid of the whole collection.
water pump housings have a date code cast into them. IMO the date should precede the engine assembly date by a month or so. If you are having the car judged they will allow more than that - probably up to 6 months
The correct pump for your car is the 326 pump. It has the 1/2 inch bypass which is corvette specific,and fairly rare. There are thousands of 326 pumps out there but they were made for trucks and have a 3/4 inch bypass,and they need an adapter to use on a corvette. They didn't start to date code that pump until Nov 1965. Soooooooooo, if you have a non dated 326 pump,with the 1/2" bypass,you have the correct,and very possibly the original water pump. By the way the 1/2 inch is actually the inside diameter of the hose opening. I believe if you measure across the bypass hole in the top of the pump,it will measure 3/4",but that is the corvette pump.
The correct pump for your car is the 326 pump. It has the 1/2 inch bypass which is corvette specific,and fairly rare. There are thousands of 326 pumps out there but they were made for trucks and have a 3/4 inch bypass,and they need an adapter to use on a corvette. They didn't start to date code that pump until Nov 1965. Soooooooooo, if you have a non dated 326 pump,with the 1/2" bypass,you have the correct,and very possibly the original water pump. By the way the 1/2 inch is actually the inside diameter of the hose opening. I believe if you measure across the bypass hole in the top of the pump,it will measure 3/4",but that is the corvette pump.
The correct pump for your car is the 326 pump. It has the 1/2 inch bypass which is corvette specific,and fairly rare. There are thousands of 326 pumps out there but they were made for trucks and have a 3/4 inch bypass,and they need an adapter to use on a corvette. They didn't start to date code that pump until Nov 1965. Soooooooooo, if you have a non dated 326 pump,with the 1/2" bypass,you have the correct,and very possibly the original water pump. By the way the 1/2 inch is actually the inside diameter of the hose opening. I believe if you measure across the bypass hole in the top of the pump,it will measure 3/4",but that is the corvette pump.
well-written piece on the 65 SHP water pump, and the dating issue that came into being (I think that there is still some question as to whether non-dated pumps were being installed well after Nov 65 though).
From: Holly Springs, Nort Cackalacky / Jupiter, Florida
The full part number is 3859326 and I just wanted to add that I believe the front pulley mount should have only 4 holes and NOT the 8 that some reflect (other experts can chime in to correct if I am wrong)
The question I have is I notice that some have GM1, GM2,......GM8 etc near the part number 3859326. Is there some significance to which would be correct? I assume that the later GMx numbers were either over the counter replacements OR just came later...??
I will sort thru the pumps I have and see if any might be original or suitable as original replacements. My car is a very early 65, so probably as mentioned it won't have an actual date stamp. But if I have any extras that might be stamped a bit too late for my car or earlier unstamped I will hang on to them maybe offer them up as a pay it forward.
The question I have is I notice that some have GM1, GM2,......GM8 etc near the part number 3859326. Is there some significance to which would be correct? I assume that the later GMx numbers were either over the counter replacements OR just came later...??
Are the GM1's for '63 GM2's for '64 etc...?
Thanks
The GM1, GM2, etc. are foundry pattern numbers - doesn't mean anything relative to dates or usage. Water pump dates aren't checked in judging - they can't be seen with the pulley installed.
I've got my original waterpump from my 69 camaro SS 396. Unfortunately, I sold the car in 1971. Think I'll build the car around my waterpump. Anyone have the rest of my car?