Is this a normal failure?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,929
Likes: 4,497
From: Virginia
I bought my AC Delco water pump (correct Corvette part) from Rock Auto.
AC Delco has a great website to cross-reference part numbers, that you can then order from Rock Auto.
https://parts-catalog.acdelco.com/ca...log_search.php
I bought my water pump from Rock Auto. It came in an AC Delco box. Made in China. I painted it GM Corporate Blue, and it works just fine. I needed new screws to bolt on the pullley, as I installed it at the same time as the Spal fan upgrade, so no clutch/fan assembly.
If the bolts bottom out, Home Depot may not have the correct size. At best, they stock a handful in 1/2" increments, and sometimes none at all. If you need 1/4" increments, you should buy them from McMaster-Carr online, Grainger or Fastenal. You can also fudge with extra washers, which Bubba did a bunch on my car.
AC Delco has a great website to cross-reference part numbers, that you can then order from Rock Auto.
https://parts-catalog.acdelco.com/ca...log_search.php
I bought my water pump from Rock Auto. It came in an AC Delco box. Made in China. I painted it GM Corporate Blue, and it works just fine. I needed new screws to bolt on the pullley, as I installed it at the same time as the Spal fan upgrade, so no clutch/fan assembly.
If the bolts bottom out, Home Depot may not have the correct size. At best, they stock a handful in 1/2" increments, and sometimes none at all. If you need 1/4" increments, you should buy them from McMaster-Carr online, Grainger or Fastenal. You can also fudge with extra washers, which Bubba did a bunch on my car.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 247
Likes: 43
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Getting this all done has been an issue for me - my wife gave birth to our first born back on Jan. 10 and she was a month early - so getting time in the garage has been a struggle!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
The smoking gun was the bolt backing off...then the gasket couldn't withstand the pressure without clamping force.
Lock-tite (blue) and or lock washers would've obviated that.
Is this an original water pump? How many miles.
My exhaust manifold bolts 'backed off' a couple of weeks ago....8 out of 12 were loose. 38 year old 19k mile car.
So , 'kinda normal' heating cooling, vibrations etc.
The water pump probably should be replaced at this point.
BTW....nice looking car!
Unkahal
Lock-tite (blue) and or lock washers would've obviated that.
Is this an original water pump? How many miles.
My exhaust manifold bolts 'backed off' a couple of weeks ago....8 out of 12 were loose. 38 year old 19k mile car.
So , 'kinda normal' heating cooling, vibrations etc.
The water pump probably should be replaced at this point.
BTW....nice looking car!
Unkahal
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
OP
Unless this C3 is a DD / get to work car; suggest place it on-hold for now ... and narrowly focus on mother and infant ... that will surely pay dividends both now & later. JMO
Unless this C3 is a DD / get to work car; suggest place it on-hold for now ... and narrowly focus on mother and infant ... that will surely pay dividends both now & later. JMO
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 247
Likes: 43
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
I appreciate the thought! Thats the reason I have such a hard time finding time for the garage right now.. I make sure that they are 100% before I even think about working on the car. Momma knows to tell me if she needs me inside, too. Thankfully, since kiddo is in 3 hour sleep cycles right now, I can usually find an hour here and there during the weekends to wrench!! and to be clear - momma is excited for this car too lol, has been a long couple of years of wrenching and not driving, she is ready for some date nights!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 247
Likes: 43
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
The smoking gun was the bolt backing off...then the gasket couldn't withstand the pressure without clamping force.
Lock-tite (blue) and or lock washers would've obviated that.
Is this an original water pump? How many miles.
My exhaust manifold bolts 'backed off' a couple of weeks ago....8 out of 12 were loose. 38 year old 19k mile car.
So , 'kinda normal' heating cooling, vibrations etc.
The water pump probably should be replaced at this point.
BTW....nice looking car!
Unkahal
Lock-tite (blue) and or lock washers would've obviated that.
Is this an original water pump? How many miles.
My exhaust manifold bolts 'backed off' a couple of weeks ago....8 out of 12 were loose. 38 year old 19k mile car.
So , 'kinda normal' heating cooling, vibrations etc.
The water pump probably should be replaced at this point.
BTW....nice looking car!
Unkahal
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