Plus he's a 
guy. Here he is signing a Corvette book that had a photo of his (real
) ZO6. 
USA-made water pump source?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
USA-made water pump source?
I spent a lot of time and $ getting an 'OEM' water pump last time, only to find it was not USA-made. It is now leaking after 25,000 easy miles.
Anybody know a source of USA-made water pumps, or anyone rebuilding them with USA (or Japanese) bearings and seal?
Wishes for 2008:
1. All aftermarket parts labeled in description with source
2. Corvette parts source that enables uneditted reviews of their parts (like Amazon, Crutchfield, NewEgg etc.)
Anybody know a source of USA-made water pumps, or anyone rebuilding them with USA (or Japanese) bearings and seal?
Wishes for 2008:
1. All aftermarket parts labeled in description with source
2. Corvette parts source that enables uneditted reviews of their parts (like Amazon, Crutchfield, NewEgg etc.)
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,448
Likes: 793
From: Redondo Beach, California
I kinda think Edelbrock pumps are made in the USA. I know a lot of their parts are made in the USA (I've seen their Torrance factory).
Check out edelbrock.com. Select automobiles and then select water pumps in the left hand column.
Check out edelbrock.com. Select automobiles and then select water pumps in the left hand column.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
I doubt ol' Vic would use Chinese stuff. I know a lot or most of his stuff in Made in the USA
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...mps_main.shtml
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...mps_main.shtml
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
I second (or third) the Edelbrock suggestion. Their foundry is in California and their catalog directly states that the water pumps are made in the USA.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years
Joe Kucinski
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
I have an Edelbrock Victor series Part #8812 which was USA manufactured.
I wonder when vendors are going to take the hint that the majority of us don't mind paying a bit more for North American made parts. What an opportunity for a vendor to be able to use the slogan 'We only sell high quality USA manufactured parts'
I wonder when vendors are going to take the hint that the majority of us don't mind paying a bit more for North American made parts. What an opportunity for a vendor to be able to use the slogan 'We only sell high quality USA manufactured parts'
Last edited by Binnie77; Dec 27, 2007 at 05:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
Thanks for the input.
It's good to hear that Edlebrock parts are made in the USA, not China.
However, through 40 years of working on Corvettes, I've found problems with aftermarket parts about 80% of the time, but GM parts have been fine nearly always. So I avoid aftermarket unless there is no alternative.
I checked my records, the pump that has now failed (leaks) after 25k miles was a (then) new Delco.
New Delcos today sell for $40 at Ecklers but $85 wholesale at my local Delco dealer - go figure.
Wilcox has pumps for $54 (33546), but when asked today said those were rebuilt. They also list rebuilt pumps for $129 (40858).
Doc Rebuild offers rebuilt pumps too, $84 for 72-82 350. That sounds the best if he uses quality bearings and seal.
Thanks again, people like you make this the best place for good info on parts.
It's good to hear that Edlebrock parts are made in the USA, not China.
However, through 40 years of working on Corvettes, I've found problems with aftermarket parts about 80% of the time, but GM parts have been fine nearly always. So I avoid aftermarket unless there is no alternative.
I checked my records, the pump that has now failed (leaks) after 25k miles was a (then) new Delco.
New Delcos today sell for $40 at Ecklers but $85 wholesale at my local Delco dealer - go figure.
Wilcox has pumps for $54 (33546), but when asked today said those were rebuilt. They also list rebuilt pumps for $129 (40858).
Doc Rebuild offers rebuilt pumps too, $84 for 72-82 350. That sounds the best if he uses quality bearings and seal.
Thanks again, people like you make this the best place for good info on parts.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
Certainly poor or nonexistant QC is a problem we have all suffered from, and it affects some US-made parts too.
But the relevant fact many have realized when sourcing parts for our cars is that OEM US-made (and Japanese-made) parts are far more likely to be of good quality than most parts made in China.
And belt tightness may affect longevity in some cases, but it is the seal that died prematurely. Poor quality is the most probable cause.
Another price check for those interested:
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/ 12458924 list 187; sell 97 but can't say where made.
Thanks for the input.
But the relevant fact many have realized when sourcing parts for our cars is that OEM US-made (and Japanese-made) parts are far more likely to be of good quality than most parts made in China.
And belt tightness may affect longevity in some cases, but it is the seal that died prematurely. Poor quality is the most probable cause.
Another price check for those interested:
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/ 12458924 list 187; sell 97 but can't say where made.
Thanks for the input.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg VA
Just got my latest Summit delivery this morning. I bought a GM Performance pump just for the reason it was made in the USA. On the box it says" Assembeled in the USA with USA and imported parts".. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
Dollars left out of the equation : what is the best quality and best to use pump for a high performance small block corvette ? One that doesn't die after 20000 miles or so and will cool a good 450 hp ?
