Napa is clueless, choosing water pump
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 86
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From: Lincolnton NC
Napa is clueless, choosing water pump
I have to do a little venting here because I did my best not to in the NApa store.
In a follow up to my previous post about my pump, someone suggested I go with Napa. Online I found 2 that were priced about the same, $60ish.
First he tried to sell me the $30 "new" pump and you guys aready said you get what you pay for. Then I showed him the 2 part #'s I found.
One was a new pump apparently made by "true Flow". The other was a rebuilt unit that was specificall "heavy Duty". I asked what the better pump would be and he said "I don't know". He called the manager over to ask him about the pumps. Manger said ones heavy duty ones not, and he walked away.
Seriously all I got were balnk stares from them, like deer in the headlights. Am I asking too much for them to have some product knowledge?
Of course I read both product desriptions on line. But after having a autozone pump fail after 1 minute, I was hoping to get more info from Napa....at least a recommendation!
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
In a follow up to my previous post about my pump, someone suggested I go with Napa. Online I found 2 that were priced about the same, $60ish.
First he tried to sell me the $30 "new" pump and you guys aready said you get what you pay for. Then I showed him the 2 part #'s I found.
One was a new pump apparently made by "true Flow". The other was a rebuilt unit that was specificall "heavy Duty". I asked what the better pump would be and he said "I don't know". He called the manager over to ask him about the pumps. Manger said ones heavy duty ones not, and he walked away.
Seriously all I got were balnk stares from them, like deer in the headlights. Am I asking too much for them to have some product knowledge?
Of course I read both product desriptions on line. But after having a autozone pump fail after 1 minute, I was hoping to get more info from Napa....at least a recommendation!
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
This is the best pump you can buy period.
http://www.cruisecooler.com/Chevrolet%20Pumps.html
http://www.cruisecooler.com/Chevrolet%20Pumps.html
68 bucks with a LIFTIME WARANTY and no cheezy parts.
This is Howard Stewart, not to be confused with Stewart EMP pumps, the company which Howard sold back around 2000.
He is the guy that GM, Ford, Chrysler and Nascar come to for advice.
When it comes to cooling, you can take his word as "Gospel"
http://www.cruisecooler.com/Chevrolet%20Pumps.html
http://www.cruisecooler.com/Chevrolet%20Pumps.html
68 bucks with a LIFTIME WARANTY and no cheezy parts.
This is Howard Stewart, not to be confused with Stewart EMP pumps, the company which Howard sold back around 2000.
He is the guy that GM, Ford, Chrysler and Nascar come to for advice.
When it comes to cooling, you can take his word as "Gospel"
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It's sad to hear that some NAPA stores are now hiring incompetent folks, too. I have not had that experience in the NAPA stores I shop...but I'm sure it will come to that eventually. Your best approach is to search the internet for what brands and models of parts are available and what vendors can supply them; and to use chat rooms [like this Forum] to ask others what to buy. Everyone will have an opinion...but after reading several posts you can get an idea of what brands and $$$ will do the job well for you.
It's not as easy as asking a knowlegeble ex-mechanic at the parts store anymore.... darn it.
It's not as easy as asking a knowlegeble ex-mechanic at the parts store anymore.... darn it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
I have not had that experience in the NAPA stores I shop
Me neither! However, I have found one ol' dude at my local NAPA that I try to deal with all the time. So when he retires things may change. Good Luck on your search.BTW I bought a high flow replacement pump from Jeg's for $70 and it has been rock solid!
peace
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: coon rapids mn
no they don't need to have intimate knowledge of every part for every car but they do sell differerent line of parts for the same application the should know what line is the better product for money!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Dayton, Ohio
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Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina 704-394-5150
Matt,
The NAPA main warehouse down the road from my shop has the people who know what is going on in the commercial dept. Not the main counter....usually unless they are in rotation and the good ones from commercial are on the main counter. Or at least, they answer any questions I have if it is a "have to have" part because my AC Delco jobber is closed. Usually weekends. If you need for me to get you a pump, Call me , you got my number. Just let me know. And yes I know what you mean about "deer staring at headlights". I call it the diminishing gene pool.
"DUB"
The NAPA main warehouse down the road from my shop has the people who know what is going on in the commercial dept. Not the main counter....usually unless they are in rotation and the good ones from commercial are on the main counter. Or at least, they answer any questions I have if it is a "have to have" part because my AC Delco jobber is closed. Usually weekends. If you need for me to get you a pump, Call me , you got my number. Just let me know. And yes I know what you mean about "deer staring at headlights". I call it the diminishing gene pool.
"DUB"
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 1
From: SIMI VALLEY CA
I dint see the previous post but be sure to check your fan clutch and if it does need replacing get the one from Chevrolet and you wont have any more problems (especially if you have a 4 spd).
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
This is the best pump you can buy period.
http://www.cruisecooler.com/Chevrolet%20Pumps.html
http://www.cruisecooler.com/Chevrolet%20Pumps.html
68 bucks with a LIFTIME WARANTY and no cheezy parts.
This is Howard Stewart, not to be confused with Stewart EMP pumps, the company which Howard sold back around 2000.
He is the guy that GM, Ford, Chrysler and Nascar come to for advice.
When it comes to cooling, you can take his word as "Gospel"
http://www.cruisecooler.com/Chevrolet%20Pumps.html
http://www.cruisecooler.com/Chevrolet%20Pumps.html
68 bucks with a LIFTIME WARANTY and no cheezy parts.
This is Howard Stewart, not to be confused with Stewart EMP pumps, the company which Howard sold back around 2000.
He is the guy that GM, Ford, Chrysler and Nascar come to for advice.
When it comes to cooling, you can take his word as "Gospel"
. .
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
You gotta do your own homework. Those guys at NAPA, Autozone, etc. spend a lot more time selling aftermarket exhaust parts for ricers, batteries and alternators, and fuzzy dice. They have not got a clue of the differences in Chevy waterpumps, and really don't want you trying to teach them. Look in their online catalog, find the part you need,and order online. Never ask the parts jockey at the counter what you need.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 952
Likes: 0
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Warrensburg MO
You might be missing out on some good info following your never rule. There are 2 ASE certified retired mechanics working at the counter where I shop. Good old school info; if that's what you are after. Time goes by fast, consider the age of the workforce, and the cars they are familiar with. I would think, if you are driving a 30 to 40 year old car, you probably know more about it than most. If you need detailed info, then use this site; the experts are at your fingertips.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Thats a substantial price for a rebuilt water pump thats available at most local parts houses for under 20 bucks. Painting and fancy descriptions describing its questionable performance over stock is just puffing the product... Spark plug brands and there prices is the closest that I would relate to these water pumps. Your not really getting anything better, it just costs more for the same result.... . .
. .
At 68 bucks they are a bargain, and the service is impeccable.
These are brand new pumps, with new castings, new machined impellers, the best bearing/mechanical seal combo all clearanced properly, as a centrigal pump should be for optimum performance and built in the US if that matters to you.
A proper comparison would be the higher flow pumps from Edelbrock, Weiand and Stewart EMP, Moroso, Proform etc with some costing up to just short of $200.00.
Amost all rebuilt pumps use generic stamped impellers, and poor quality bearing/seal design that don't even meet the original oem specs.
Even the new GM pumps (rebranded) aren't what they once were.
Do a search on Howard Stewart and you will see he doesn't have to fluff anything.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Use the companies I mentioned in the above post and go to there on line catalogue. I have no favorites, but the advertisement is under 20 bucks as of yesterday....Auto Zone, Advance, either one. I know I checked Advance.....Google them!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Price Utah
Good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you buy "hard parts" based soley on co$t, you will give any savings back in short order with early failures. And then, there are folks who just 'get lucky'. Not all cheaply made components fail...just a lot more of them then the 'quality' parts along with many early failures. In any event, it's a lot like insurance...are you willing to pay a bit more for the added confidence that something won't have a problem?
Ironcross [and others] apparently operate by the "Spend less today and fix the bad ones (again) later"....which is a valid, cost saving strategy. For critical wear & strength parts and those that are buried under lots of other stuff, I'm more of a "Pay now and not later" kind of guy.
Ironcross [and others] apparently operate by the "Spend less today and fix the bad ones (again) later"....which is a valid, cost saving strategy. For critical wear & strength parts and those that are buried under lots of other stuff, I'm more of a "Pay now and not later" kind of guy.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Fla. 6 months- New Middletown, Ohio 6 months
Surprised by your problem at a NAPA store. The ones I deal with have "old farts" like me that have been in the business for years and have some knowledge. I find anymore that if the counter person is young he will most likely have no real knowledge of American iron. Last week he may of been asking you "do you want fries with that"?