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Water Pump Question - 72 Small Block

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Old Aug 16, 2004 | 02:42 PM
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Default Water Pump Question - 72 Small Block

I hate to ask a dumb sounding question, but here goes. In looking at water pumps for my 72, I see them listed for my car with various suppliers, and according to at least one source, the water pump for 55-70 small block Corvettes is the same, and for 71-82 it is the same. They are then differentiated further for newer Corvettes. What's the difference? Maybe the angle for the hose connection? All of them are small block Chevrolets. For that matter, wouldn't a water pump for any 72 small block work? Thanks for any information.
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Old Aug 16, 2004 | 02:51 PM
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Vette pumps are 'special', only used for vettes and trucks, the snout (thing the pulley goes on) is 3/4" while the stock one is 5/8". Also believe the pump is not the same depth as the stock short pump either so if you change both the pulley and pump is will not align 100% with the other vette pullies.
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Old Aug 16, 2004 | 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Fevre
Vette pumps are 'special', only used for vettes and trucks, the snout (thing the pulley goes on) is 3/4" while the stock one is 5/8". Also believe the pump is not the same depth as the stock short pump either so if you change both the pulley and pump is will not align 100% with the other vette pullies.

Ahhhhh.....now I understand. Thanks!
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Old Aug 16, 2004 | 07:10 PM
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I got a used flow kooler water pump that would fit yours. came off my 72' real low miles and in good shape. It's a high flow pump also. Make me an offer!
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by fastpig
I got a used flow kooler water pump that would fit yours. came off my 72' real low miles and in good shape. It's a high flow pump also. Make me an offer!
Thanks for the info. I'm not even sure yet if another water pump is going on. The current one isn't leaking or making any noise. I was thinking of replacing the water pump to try to eliminate all possibilities for cooling problems, while I'm already in that process.
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 09:18 AM
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You will find that the earlier pumps lack the reinforcing ribs on the snout as shown below.

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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 01:22 PM
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If you are looking for a good water pump check out stewart components. They sell some really nice pumps that flow extremely well. I have a stage 2 pump from them on my zz4.
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 01:42 PM
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Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the information.
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 02:01 PM
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'55 - '70 water pumps have small bearings (prone to failure), a 5/8" shaft and the small bolt pattern for the fan and pulley.

'71 until ? have larger bearings and 3/4" shaft and the large bolt pattern for the fan and pulley. (pre '71 fan/pulley won't bolt up)

Both pumps can be used on all years, however pre '71 pumps need the old fan and pulleys and therefore post '71 need to use the large bolt pattern fan/pulley.

I currently have a stewart aluminum pump with 3/4" shaft for the bearings, a 5/8" nose shaft size (for the old fan/pulley), and a flange that accepts both large & small bolt pattern fan/pulley.

Best of both worlds.

Barry
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