C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Correct Water pump question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 29, 2023 | 10:38 PM
  #1  
jbradley02's Avatar
jbradley02
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 69
Likes: 14
From: Connecticut
Default Correct Water pump question

Looking for correct water pump for my 427 engine, did it come with long or short? Everything I see says I should be looking for short one? Is this correct? Mine had water pump on it but with the rebuild looking to put back all correct parts this is the last as it had everything except was using electric fuel pump but found correct 40659 pump now need water pump
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2023 | 10:54 PM
  #2  
69L88's Avatar
69L88
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,380
Likes: 1,800
From: Apple Valley, MN
Default

I found this on a old post by member Joe Lucia:

The "Corvette short" water pump which you refer to applies only to small blocks and not big blocks. ALL 65-74 Corvette big blocks use the same, BASIC water pump casting (although 4 different castings were used). All 65-70 big blocks use a bearing/shaft assembly witha 3/4" diameter shaft, but a PILOT (the end of the shaft which centers the pullies and fan clutch) turned down to 5/8". 1971-74 big blocks use a full 3/4" pilot.


For Corvette small blocks, ALL 55-70 Corvettes use a "short" water pump with a 5/8" shaft. This same style water pump was also used on all 55-68 small blocks used in all other Chevrolet passenger cars with small blocks. In 1969, most Chevrolet small blocks and big blocks, EXCEPT CORVETTE, went to the "long" water pump which still used a 5/8" shaft.

In 1971, virtually ALL of the small block water pumps changed. All, EXCEPT CORVETTE, continued to be "long leg" style but with 3/4" shaft and 5/8" pilot. Corvette continued to use a "short leg" water pump, but it was a DIFFERENT short leg water pump than used for 55-70 Corvettes. This water pump, often referred to as the "Corvette short" water pump, was set up to accomodate the large bearing and shaft assembly which used a 3/4" shaft. For 71-82 Corvette pumps, the shaft PILOT was the full 3/4". The full 3/4" pilot small block water pumps are unique to Corvettes and some medium/heavy duty trucks which also used the "Corvette short" water pump. I might also add that 71-74 Corvette big blocks ALSO used the 3/4" pilot shaft and they were the only big block water pumps which did so.

Due to its design, the "Corvette short" water pump has a slightly greater block mounting surface-to-face of hub flange dimension. Combined with the fact that the 71+ pump has the full 3/4" pilot, it is applicable to only 71+ model Corvettes (and the trucks mentioned). The "Corvette short" water pump is NOT applicable to 55-70 Corvettes unless the entire pulley system, fan clutch and fan are changed to the 71+ configuration.

I might also add here, for clarification, by water pump SHAFT diameter, I am talking about the portion of the shaft that goes THROUGH THE BEARING. All Corvette water pumps use a 5/8" impeller shaft end. For 65-70 small block Corvettes, this means that the shaft is 5/8" all the way from end-to-end. For 71+ Corvette small blocks, the impeller end of the shaft is turned down to 5/8".

There were several GM castings used for the 55-70 Corvette and 55-68 ALL small block "short" water pumps. However, for the 71-82 "Corvette short" water pump, there were only 2 castings ever used. 1971-early 1972 used GM #3991399. Later 1972 to 1982 used GM #330813. These are the only 2 castings which GM EVER used for the "Corvette short" water pump. The 3991399 has no drilled and tapped boss on the top for external bypass. The 330813 does have a large upper boss and 3/4" NPT fitting for external bypass. The external bypass provision was plugged with a square head pipe plug for all 72-82 Corvette applications. The fact that this boss and tapping was added to the pump was only for the truck applications that also used it.


From Bill Mock’s website, the big block water pump casting numbers are: 3856284, 3940960, 3992077 and 386100. I believe the 3856284 would be correct for your ‘68.

Last edited by 69L88; Aug 29, 2023 at 11:06 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2023 | 08:57 AM
  #3  
jbradley02's Avatar
jbradley02
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 69
Likes: 14
From: Connecticut
Default

Originally Posted by 69L88
I found this on a old post by member Joe Lucia:

The "Corvette short" water pump which you refer to applies only to small blocks and not big blocks. ALL 65-74 Corvette big blocks use the same, BASIC water pump casting (although 4 different castings were used). All 65-70 big blocks use a bearing/shaft assembly witha 3/4" diameter shaft, but a PILOT (the end of the shaft which centers the pullies and fan clutch) turned down to 5/8". 1971-74 big blocks use a full 3/4" pilot.


For Corvette small blocks, ALL 55-70 Corvettes use a "short" water pump with a 5/8" shaft. This same style water pump was also used on all 55-68 small blocks used in all other Chevrolet passenger cars with small blocks. In 1969, most Chevrolet small blocks and big blocks, EXCEPT CORVETTE, went to the "long" water pump which still used a 5/8" shaft.

In 1971, virtually ALL of the small block water pumps changed. All, EXCEPT CORVETTE, continued to be "long leg" style but with 3/4" shaft and 5/8" pilot. Corvette continued to use a "short leg" water pump, but it was a DIFFERENT short leg water pump than used for 55-70 Corvettes. This water pump, often referred to as the "Corvette short" water pump, was set up to accomodate the large bearing and shaft assembly which used a 3/4" shaft. For 71-82 Corvette pumps, the shaft PILOT was the full 3/4". The full 3/4" pilot small block water pumps are unique to Corvettes and some medium/heavy duty trucks which also used the "Corvette short" water pump. I might also add that 71-74 Corvette big blocks ALSO used the 3/4" pilot shaft and they were the only big block water pumps which did so.

Due to its design, the "Corvette short" water pump has a slightly greater block mounting surface-to-face of hub flange dimension. Combined with the fact that the 71+ pump has the full 3/4" pilot, it is applicable to only 71+ model Corvettes (and the trucks mentioned). The "Corvette short" water pump is NOT applicable to 55-70 Corvettes unless the entire pulley system, fan clutch and fan are changed to the 71+ configuration.

I might also add here, for clarification, by water pump SHAFT diameter, I am talking about the portion of the shaft that goes THROUGH THE BEARING. All Corvette water pumps use a 5/8" impeller shaft end. For 65-70 small block Corvettes, this means that the shaft is 5/8" all the way from end-to-end. For 71+ Corvette small blocks, the impeller end of the shaft is turned down to 5/8".

There were several GM castings used for the 55-70 Corvette and 55-68 ALL small block "short" water pumps. However, for the 71-82 "Corvette short" water pump, there were only 2 castings ever used. 1971-early 1972 used GM #3991399. Later 1972 to 1982 used GM #330813. These are the only 2 castings which GM EVER used for the "Corvette short" water pump. The 3991399 has no drilled and tapped boss on the top for external bypass. The 330813 does have a large upper boss and 3/4" NPT fitting for external bypass. The external bypass provision was plugged with a square head pipe plug for all 72-82 Corvette applications. The fact that this boss and tapping was added to the pump was only for the truck applications that also used it.


From Bill Mock’s website, the big block water pump casting numbers are: 3856284, 3940960, 3992077 and 386100. I believe the 3856284 would be correct for your ‘68.
Thanks long read 😂 but informative, I have found that 3856284 is the correct pump now to find one to get before end of next week to complete the build.
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2023 | 02:27 PM
  #4  
Hopper12's Avatar
Hopper12
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 2,296
From: Central UT
Default

https://www.ebay.com/itm/17525550215...Bk9SR8bkjPvIYg

https://www.ebay.com/itm/31473880887...Bk9SR8bkjPvIYg

Lots more to choose from. Best, Paul
Reply
Old Aug 30, 2023 | 03:57 PM
  #5  
69L88's Avatar
69L88
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,380
Likes: 1,800
From: Apple Valley, MN
Default

I understand that Bill Mock has retired and his inventory purchased by ChevyCool.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Correct Water pump question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:00 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE