64tux

i've got this rattling noise under the hood. that sounds like its coming from the water pump area, and on a 3 hour trip yesterday the temp gauge never got above 140. but the car ran great. do i need a water pump? and how hard is it to replace???? it's a sb 365hp. your help is apreciated!!!!

KC John

If your WP was going out, you would have run hotter than normal, not cooler.

You can take a 18" piece of heater hose or a stick and use it as a stethoscope to try and pinpoint the noise. Be careful not to stick it in the fan blades.

Check the clutch fan and fan blade to make sure they are not coming loose.

garth64

Check if your fan is loose or wobbly; replacing a water pump is not a hard job.

64tux

thanks for the replies. i'll check it out!!

Mike Ward

And put a thermostat in it, 140 is way too cool.

64tux

i have a 180 degree thermo. in it.
it looks like i need a new fan clutch. its not turning very well .
i wonder if the temp not going past 140 has anything to do with bad fan cluch? they both started to act up at same time.
guess i'll put a new one on and find out!!!!

Mike Ward

I think you may have found your rattle. Best not drive it until it's fixed.

64tux

yes, i think i found my rattle, the fan clutch would not even turn. i guess thats why the temp. gauge didn't go past 140. i guess thats what you guys with overheating problems should do is tack weld the fan clutch so it doesn't spin. i've had a problem with the car stalling at stop signs after it warms up. yesterday, with the thermo. at 140, it didn't stall once and i drive the car for over 6 hour. so i'm pretty sure my stalling problem has to do with heat, somehow?????? and if the clutch wouldn't turn, what was rattling?????

narlee

Take the fan and rock it back and forth and see if you get any play in the clutch or the pump. Check to make sure the pump isn't bad before you take it apart to fix the clutch.

64tux

thanks, i'll check it out!!!!!

MikeM

Alternators will rattle if the pivot bolt comes loose.

64tux

thanks, Mike, i'll check that too!!

vetsvette2002

You should switch to an electric water pump and get free horsepower.

64tux

I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS An elect. water pump?
i've got a water pump and fan clutch to pickup tommorrow. there not the originals, but the price is right. $50 bucks for the water pump and $28 for the clutch.
i went to a chevy dealer and priced the fan clutch. $270.12 plus tax.
just bend over, i'll be right with you!!!!!!

narlee

If the clutch and fan are original don't toss them.

Mike Ward

Yes great idea. During a technical summit held at this years Carlisle, a further refinement of installing a water turbine downstream of the water pump, which that drives the alternator to drive the water pump was voted upon and accepted. I believe the wind driven alternator mounted in tandem with an electric fan did not make the agenda, maybe next year.

JohnZ

The same clutch (GM #3916141) is $125.00 from Paragon or GMPartsDirect.com.

64tux

thanks, John. i just can't believe the different pricing on the same part.
it pays to look around and check prices!!!!

64tux

thanks, narlee. i checked it out like you said, and i do need a water pump also. good call!!!!!

narlee

Glad I could help. Now you can gather your parts and get it back on the road. If the pump was original it can be rebuilt. You could put on another one for now but save the old one.