water pump bearing
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 14
From: Olivia mn
water pump bearing
hey guys, a freind of mine has a 71 vette and it sounds like the water pump bearing is going out, what would happen if the bearing went out while you were driving down the road. Also how big of a job is it to replace. thanks guys
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
If the bearing went out, the fan could tip far enough to MAYBE hit the rad also, all the coolant would be gone.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
if the bearing goes while driving, there is the VERY real possibility of the fan going thru your radiator and another VERY real possibility if it going up thru the fiberglass hood, both of which are not inexpensive repairs.....
If the car is running can you see the pulley, shaft or fan wobbling?
I just discovered the bearings going on the pump on my '78 so instead of the risks involved i immediately pulled it off.
Depending on what you want to do, you can either go and get a replacement from your Flaps or send the existing pump out for a rebuild.
A replacement unit is usually a rebuilt or remanufactured unit and will probably run approx $60 or so.
For my '78 which is only an original 12,000 mile car and completely original I choose to keep the original pump on it so I sent it out for rebuild. It's only $75.00 so not much more than purchasing a replacement unit and turn-around time is 3-4 days from Arthur Gould in NY.
If the car is running can you see the pulley, shaft or fan wobbling?
I just discovered the bearings going on the pump on my '78 so instead of the risks involved i immediately pulled it off.
Depending on what you want to do, you can either go and get a replacement from your Flaps or send the existing pump out for a rebuild.
A replacement unit is usually a rebuilt or remanufactured unit and will probably run approx $60 or so.
For my '78 which is only an original 12,000 mile car and completely original I choose to keep the original pump on it so I sent it out for rebuild. It's only $75.00 so not much more than purchasing a replacement unit and turn-around time is 3-4 days from Arthur Gould in NY.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 945
Likes: 1
Duke & Barry are right. I had a '70 a long time ago that had a wobbly fan pulley that prematurely wore out the pump bearing.
I threw the fan right through the radiator.
It's easy enough to replace the water pump now while it's convenient and inexpensive. Make sure there isn't anything that is stressing the bearing such as my wobbly pulley.
