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Old Apr 7, 2017 | 07:36 PM
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Default 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.
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Old Apr 7, 2017 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by rj911
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.
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Old Apr 7, 2017 | 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by MISTERZ06
not sure hope this helps
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 !
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Old Apr 7, 2017 | 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by rj911
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.
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Old Apr 7, 2017 | 08:59 PM
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1972 350ci/200hp 4spd, power steering, no AC, no smog pump
short water pump
........................................ tom
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Last edited by MISTERZ06; Apr 7, 2017 at 09:01 PM.
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Old Apr 8, 2017 | 12:03 AM
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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.
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Old Apr 8, 2017 | 01:20 AM
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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.
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Old Apr 8, 2017 | 01:41 AM
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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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Old Apr 8, 2017 | 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by rj911
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 !
How about posting the manufacturer and part number of the pump inorder to determine if you have the wrong pump
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Old Apr 8, 2017 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by MISTERZ06

Why all of a sudden it would be the wrong pulley. It worked before he changed the water pump. Just wondering.
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Old Apr 9, 2017 | 07:42 AM
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How is it lined up with the other pulleys? Does it look like it needs to go on fully to line up with them?
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Old Apr 9, 2017 | 10:15 AM
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You need a Corvette specific water pump, here are the dimensions.



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Old Apr 9, 2017 | 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by rj911
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.
No spacers when stock. But Moroso does make shims to correct pulley/belt alignment.
A friend had a 454 that ate belts. I realigned all the pulleys with shims, and no more issues.
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Old Apr 9, 2017 | 10:44 AM
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I had a similar problem when I purchased an aftermarket aluminum pump. I clearanced the pump body about .030" with a dremel and added a small shim to the backside of the stock pulley. No biggie.
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Old Apr 10, 2017 | 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Dynra Rockets
I had a similar problem when I purchased an aftermarket aluminum pump. I clearanced the pump body about .030" with a dremel and added a small shim to the backside of the stock pulley. No biggie.

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
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Last edited by MISTERZ06; Apr 10, 2017 at 10:39 AM.
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