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I use this guy. The flying Dutchman. If your housing is good he turns it into a state of the art water pump with later model seals etc. I have had him do a few for me. An old Chrysler Hemi pump and an old GMC 228 six pump. My 327 pump will be heading to him soon. It's old school work at a very reasonable price. Fast turn around in my experience. He seems to be pretty popular in the restoration world of obscure stuff.
I purchased a china water pump thru RockAuto and had problems with leakage at the joint to the block. I set it on the bench and found the right and left surfaces were not properly milled and I had to use two gaskets to get it to seal. It's been quite a while now and the pump is doing fine and the gaskets are not leaking. I have a few old GM pumps and have considered rebuilding one as a spare, but my to do list keeps getting longer here in the woods.
If nothing else I am persistent. I had my Edelbrock water pump chromed. I called them and asked for a rebuild kit several times. There policy is you must send it back for rebuild, they say it's not a field serviceable unit. I agree that the average person couldn't do it but in reality it's not hard. The fan and impeller size are different so that made it harder to find the parts. I knew full well that they were going to say we can't rebuild that you've modified it. But I came across this place, ASE industries, and stumbled across the actual part number for the bearing. I ordered a bearing and 2 seals. Very cheap and I did it myself. I highly recommend this place.
I had mine rebuilt by Chevycool. Seems to me it was ballpark $100. Still in the box so I can't comment on how it works - yet. But since you asked for options, that's one to consider rather than buying something of unknown origin and quality.
If nothing else I am persistent. I had my Edelbrock water pump chromed. I called them and asked for a rebuild kit several times. Their policy is you must send it back for rebuild, they say it's not a field serviceable unit. I agree that the average person couldn't do it but in reality it's not hard. The fan and impeller size are different so that made it harder to find the parts. I knew full well that they were going to say we can't rebuild that you've modified it. But I came across this place, ASE industries, and stumbled across the actual part number for the bearing. I ordered a bearing and 2 seals. Very cheap and I did it myself. I highly recommend this place. I have a strong suspicion that this is where Edelbrock buys their parts.
I picked up a GM Performance parts, aluminum water pump a few years back at Carlisle, new in the box for under $50. Didn't need it, but can't pass on a good deal I might need in the future.
A year or two earlier, I passed on a Stewart Stage II, aluminum water pump, for a C4 L98 for $75 (it sold at the time for over $150), because I didn't need it (I have an '85, but it only has 8,500 miles on it) and it was early in the show. After about an hour, I thought better of it and went back to pick it up 'just-in-case' - it was gone! I don't pass on deals like that any longer. Even if I didn't need it then, either I or someone else would sooner or later.
Good luck, and check out JEG's or Summit. They often have good deals on items like water pumps.
R66 - Do you have an original L79 pump you'd like to sell?
Thanks
Bob,
Off hand, I have to say no as I don't have any that have the 1/2" pipe plug in the top for the bypass hose. Plus, I have no idea what the correct numbers are for a pump for your car. Tell me the numbers you are looking for and I'll take a look anyway.
Does anyone make a quality standard water pump anymore? Looking for my non original '61. Am I stuck with Chinese or high performance aluminum? Thanks.
Funny you bring this up. Just a week ago I was working with my rep for 2 days - he is primarily an auto parts rep & reps about 70 different manufacturers, as well as heavy duty truck. I asked him who makes the BEST quality water pumps, & made in USA? Answer: GMB. U-Joints: SKF. Ball joints & tie rod ends: TRW.