Another Cloyes Timing Cover Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 224
Likes: 41
From: Catawba, N.C. USA
Another Cloyes Timing Cover Question
I've seen a number of threads in dealing with grinding the bolts or the backing plate on the water pump to make the OEM style pump fit the Cloyes cover. Is there an issue with either fabricating a flat backing plate or using a retro fit backing plate made for the older style pumps to replace the concave backing plate? Seems like that would provide some decent space.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
I've seen a number of threads in dealing with grinding the bolts or the backing plate on the water pump to make the OEM style pump fit the Cloyes cover. Is there an issue with either fabricating a flat backing plate or using a retro fit backing plate made for the older style pumps to replace the concave backing plate? Seems like that would provide some decent space.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I machined down the front of my cloyes to clear the aluminum water pump. I also used button head Allen screw to hold the impeller backing plate on the water pump.
I was actually pissed about the whole roller button cloyes setup, but a stock water pump would work fine. After market pumps have a bigger impeller
I was actually pissed about the whole roller button cloyes setup, but a stock water pump would work fine. After market pumps have a bigger impeller
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 224
Likes: 41
From: Catawba, N.C. USA
I've got a supposedly oem ac delco short pump. The back plate is concave and making contact with the timing cover. I've got the flat allen head bolts but it is the back cover being the problem. I hate to grind the timing cover. With the back plate off there is room and it appears a flat back plate would work but was concerned that the purpose of the concave cover was to allow the flow aroung the impeller completely. I know the earlier pumps used a flat back plate so was wondering if it would work for mine.
