c3 water pump question
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
c3 water pump question
I have a 73 sbc, when i took the engine in for rebuild, it was complete with the fan and pullies intact. The engine builder tore everything down and said the water pump was bad, i purchased a new short water pump for it, but now when i attempt to put the fan pulley on, it hits the pump. I dont know it there was any spacers behind the pump, the builder says there wasnt. It is the same pulley that came off the engine. I bought a second short style water pump, same problem. Does anyone know if there are supposed to be soacers behind the pulley ? The pump measures 5-5/8 from mount face to impeller face where the pulley mounts. According to my research, this is correct.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 336
Likes: 69
From: Staten Island New York
I have a 73 sbc, when i took the engine in for rebuild, it was complete with the fan and pullies intact. The engine builder tore everything down and said the water pump was bad, i purchased a new short water pump for it, but now when i attempt to put the fan pulley on, it hits the pump. I dont know it there was any spacers behind the pump, the builder says there wasnt. It is the same pulley that came off the engine. I bought a second short style water pump, same problem. Does anyone know if there are supposed to be soacers behind the pulley ? The pump measures 5-5/8 from mount face to impeller face where the pulley mounts. According to my research, this is correct.
not sure hope this helps
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3...mp-pulley.html
https://www.summitracing.com/experta...ive/answer/913
........................................ tom
Last edited by MISTERZ06; Apr 7, 2017 at 08:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
not sure hope this helps
https://www.summitracing.com/experta...ive/answer/913
........................................ tom
https://www.summitracing.com/experta...ive/answer/913
........................................ tom
Thanks, I checked it out, its pretty much what I had already known. Im just stumped as to why my pulley that came off now doesnt fit the water pump, it hits the pump before its seated on the impeller shaft. It IS a short pump, measures 5-5/8. Its kind of making me crazy. I dont want to just keep buying pumps until one works, its time consuming and a pain to have to return them. Who would have thought that something as simple as a water pump and pulley would be the challenge after doing a frame off !
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 336
Likes: 69
From: Staten Island New York
Thanks, I checked it out, its pretty much what I had already known. Im just stumped as to why my pulley that came off now doesnt fit the water pump, it hits the pump before its seated on the impeller shaft. It IS a short pump, measures 5-5/8. Its kind of making me crazy. I dont want to just keep buying pumps until one works, its time consuming and a pain to have to return them. Who would have thought that something as simple as a water pump and pulley would be the challenge after doing a frame off !
seems like it is the wrong pulley
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3...ey-spacer.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1971-1982.html
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3...mp-pulley.html
........................................ ........ tom
Last edited by MISTERZ06; Apr 7, 2017 at 08:44 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Tell the engine builder to figure it out "on his dime". He's the one who said the pump was bad (how the heck he knows that, IDK); he should have spec'd a proper replacement for what you GAVE HIM in the first place. 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
How much more space do you need? When I replaced my water pump I had to grind a bit of material away on the new one. It lasted 18 years until I replaced it with a reverse rotation because of the serpentine belt system on the new engine.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 51
Likes: 3
From: Carmichael California
The pulley is fine. A corvette pump is different than a standard short pump. it should have a 3/4 shaft and the impeller face should be about 3/16 farther from the block. Research the archive on the forum the information is there.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,649
Likes: 2,557
Thanks, I checked it out, its pretty much what I had already known. Im just stumped as to why my pulley that came off now doesnt fit the water pump, it hits the pump before its seated on the impeller shaft. It IS a short pump, measures 5-5/8. Its kind of making me crazy. I dont want to just keep buying pumps until one works, its time consuming and a pain to have to return them. Who would have thought that something as simple as a water pump and pulley would be the challenge after doing a frame off !
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,613
Likes: 347
From: No Where USA
seems like it is the wrong pulley
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3...ey-spacer.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1971-1982.html
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3...mp-pulley.html
........................................ ........ tom
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3...ey-spacer.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1971-1982.html
http://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c3...mp-pulley.html
........................................ ........ tom
Why all of a sudden it would be the wrong pulley. It worked before he changed the water pump. Just wondering.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,027
I have a 73 sbc, when i took the engine in for rebuild, it was complete with the fan and pullies intact. The engine builder tore everything down and said the water pump was bad, i purchased a new short water pump for it, but now when i attempt to put the fan pulley on, it hits the pump. I dont know it there was any spacers behind the pump, the builder says there wasnt. It is the same pulley that came off the engine. I bought a second short style water pump, same problem. Does anyone know if there are supposed to be soacers behind the pulley ? The pump measures 5-5/8 from mount face to impeller face where the pulley mounts. According to my research, this is correct.
A friend had a 454 that ate belts. I realigned all the pulleys with shims, and no more issues.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 336
Likes: 69
From: Staten Island New York
i looked at my original water pump on my 1972, 350/200hp, power steering, no smog
AND the pump had a space ground (from the factory) down at the very top where the pulley is
the ground/machined is right in front of that square plug
and the clearance from the top of the pulley to the water pump is very very small
sorry i did not take pics ................. tom
Last edited by MISTERZ06; Apr 10, 2017 at 10:39 AM.