Water Pump
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: San Bernardino CA
Water Pump
I have a 59' with what I believe to be 350ci from a 69' vette. I need to replace the water pump. Engine # 3970010 driverside by bellhouse, Head # 3991492, Waterpump # 30570NN ACI. Question is what do I ask for at the parts house? I've replaced a few chevy water pumps in my time. This was a PITA, the engine mounts through the water pump and the front engine mount bracket.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by GEBackbone; Jun 1, 2011 at 05:10 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,142
Likes: 704
Your best bet is to measure the old water pump. There were 3 different models.
The short pump was used from 1955 to 1970. It measures about 5 9/16" from the block mounting surface to the front of the hub.
The intermediate pump was used from 1971 to 1982. It had a 3/4" shaft as opposed to the other pumps 5/8" shaft. It was about 5 13/16" block surface to hub.
The long pump was never used on the vette, it measures about 6 15/16".
There is little difference between the short and intermediate pumps. About 1/4". So you need to measure the shaft diameter as well.
The short pump was used from 1955 to 1970. It measures about 5 9/16" from the block mounting surface to the front of the hub.
The intermediate pump was used from 1971 to 1982. It had a 3/4" shaft as opposed to the other pumps 5/8" shaft. It was about 5 13/16" block surface to hub.
The long pump was never used on the vette, it measures about 6 15/16".
There is little difference between the short and intermediate pumps. About 1/4". So you need to measure the shaft diameter as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: San Bernardino CA
Thanks John, I just installed the new pump. I made love to it and cleaned the surfaces of the front mount bracket, installed, took it for a test drive and it appears to be leaking in the mounting area. Was I supposed to put teflon tape or liquid teflon on my Water Pump hardware? I also had to retighten the bolts as they got pretty loose after the test drive twice.
Last edited by GEBackbone; Jun 8, 2011 at 10:55 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 2
From: Patuxent River MD
When I replaced my water pump on my 59, I used four water pump gaskets. One for each side of the engine mount bracket. Kind of like making a sandwich with the mount bracket. The gaskets being the bread. I had no leaks or problems with it. I did the same with the rebuild I am doing, but have yet to get it on the road to test it.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
a later model Vette pump will have a outlet on top of the pump whereas I believe the OE for that year {59} does not and you will have to plug this outlet... But it will still work as long as it clears the front mount .....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 99
From: Boston MA
Thanks John, I just installed the new pump. I made love to it and cleaned the surfaces of the front mount bracket, installed, took it for a test drive and it appears to be leaking in the mounting area. Was I supposed to put teflon tape or liquid teflon on my Water Pump hardware? I also had to retighten the bolts as they got pretty loose after the test drive twice.
The water pump can be difficult to seal. Look in the archives for lots of info on this subject. I too have had those bolts loosen after driving. But if you tighten them too much, it'll squeeze out the gasket. Don't use cork gaskets there.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 2
From: San Bernardino CA
OK..WTF...This is the second time I have attempted to put this water pump on and it's kicking my butt. What am I doing wrong? I cleaned and checked the front engine mount bracket, put fel-pro gaskets with RTV on both sides. I even made some alignment rods by cutting the heads off of two 3/8 bolts and installed the engine mount plate and water pump to the block using the rods on top then installed bottom bolts and replaced the rods with bolts on top, evenly tightened down. Water is pouring out of the bottom on the passenger side of the pump/bracket area.
Help Please.
Thanks in Advance,
Gary
Help Please.
Thanks in Advance,
Gary
Last edited by GEBackbone; Jul 26, 2011 at 06:33 PM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 424
Likes: 1
From: Woonsocket RI
Check the motor mount itself it could be rotted.
The gasket against the block and against the pump could be ok but where the gaskets seal against the motor mount they could be leaking.
I learned this the hard way many moons ago.
The gasket against the block and against the pump could be ok but where the gaskets seal against the motor mount they could be leaking.
I learned this the hard way many moons ago.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 315
From: Scottsdale AZ
I remember having the same problem, eventually traced to the engine mount being all corroded, you may have to replace it. Or was it something to do with the fifth hole on one side of the mounting flange on the pump, get your face in there reall good with a strong light, you will see the problem.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I'm having the same issue as OP was having a couple posts up. There is some pitting on the motor mount plate, so I'm going to replace that. My question is if anyone makes that bracket, but the extended version that bolts down the block like I have seen in other threads here?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 664
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I'm having the same issue as OP was having a couple posts up. There is some pitting on the motor mount plate, so I'm going to replace that. My question is if anyone makes that bracket, but the extended version that bolts down the block like I have seen in other threads here?
Here is the vendor's listing, but note that these appear to be from worn tooling, and need a little file work (I have not used mine yet, but see no reason for it not to function properly - I used a spare engine block to mock up the extra support brackets, and then tack welded them while still bolted to the block):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/61-62-C1-COR...87d1ea&vxp=mtr
(bracket drawing works on both sides)
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; Nov 14, 2012 at 03:09 PM.
