Hi guys....anyone install an AC Delco Pro part #252-699 on a LT1 recently? Any problems with the fit? I purchased one and could not make it fit,so I returned it. There are 2 different part #'s for the 93-96 LT1. Just wondering if I just got a bad part? The casting on the pump would not clear the alternator bracket? The part # is correct, just wondering if I need to step up to the other listed pump at double the price?

 

You mentioned "returned". Was it purchased local? Your old is obviously off so I'd compare old to whatever your next choice might be. Other than comparing the part number on the box to a catalog or invoice there's no way for you to know that what's inside the box is correct. If you purchased the 252- for price there should be others available that are similarly priced.

 

AC Delco "PROFESSIONAL" parts are not necessarily genuine GM parts. they are third party, aftermarket, parts that meet some GM criteria as an acceptable replacement for genuine GM parts. case in point -- I purchased ACD "professional" upper and lower radiator parts. both parts had ACD "professional" labels, and when I removed the labels, there were NAPA labels. the quality seemed good, and they were a perfect fit, but it just seems like false advertising. I bought an ACD "professional" fuel pressure regulator from rockauto, that was junk. it looked like the same cheapo FPR that I bought on fleabay. looked the same right down to the tooling marks. ACD "professional" parts - don't assume you're getting what you've paid for....

here's a cut and paste from ACD for the subject water pump -

the funny thing about my radiator hoses -- NAPA doesn't manufacture radiator hoses. they have a supplier, and they, NAPA, slapped a label on them. now ACD slapped another label on the things, so I have radiator hoses, that I have absolutely no idea what I have, or where they came from - crooks do a similar thing when they laundry money . it would be interesting to compare the ACD price to the NAPA price for the same part. come to think about it, I probably don't want to know - might just pi$$ me off!

 

This. Dont assume if it has the AC/D name on it that means it came from GM or one of its OEM factory suppliers. I generally dont bother with buying AC/D just because of this reason (and price because of the name) unless I know its NOS. With lifetime warranties available on many aftermarket parts from parts retailers, I generally choose those. I also try to buy everything locally because of the "toe to toe" factor for warranty and returns. I do check RockAuto for pricing and will occasionally buy if the price is a major savings. You do have to watch the "closeouts" because a lot of times you get opened or installed not run parts. No big deal, it should be still new but I do like to be the first person to take it out of the box.

Hope you find what you need!

 

AC-Delco Professional line of auto parts are not the same as OEM GM/AC-Delco parts. Generally, depending on the product, AC-Delco Professional line products are mid-grade to high quality aftermarket replacement parts manufactured by various parts manufacturers, but not OE. Some of these non-OE AC offerings are very good, others not so much.

In the last decade AC-Delco began marketing multiple product line offerings to compete in the parts aftermarket, generally a low priced offering, a mid-grade line, and the highest quality, top line parts that are also considered the genuine GM OE replacement. It can be confusing, even for my parts countermen, they field outside calls every week from customers comparing prices on "AC-Delco" parts. Obviously the dealership appears over priced, as my guys quote the genuine OE part when ofter times the customer on the other end has priced one of the lower quality AC parts elsewhere. I am sure these customers purchase the lower priced part, believing they are obtaining an OE part. Not always so.

As mentioned above, EVERY parts supplier can and does incorrectly package a part. Good advice to compare old to new to insure fit.

 

Thanks for the insight on this. I purchased this from Rock Auto after shopping around, every place I looked locally said they would have to order one and either would not take it back or would have a restocking fee. At the time I ordered the pump I also ordered hoses and some other gaskets. I still need a new pump, so I may go with the OEM ACDelco.
Any suggestions on other brands?

 

Shop locally of course "first" I'd think if price was your first requirement. A reliable "local" jobber I wouldn't think should have an issue with a return for a confirmed "no fit" problem. The OE/ACD 251- product certainly seems overpriced at this time. You could maybe try to negotiate the pricing and if the 251- product is your next choice it might be able to be priced maybe more competitively from an ACD jobber.

RockAuto's inventory is sourced from many various sources and could be someones "overstock", repackaged other brand, maybe product that was an "over-run" or maybe even product that failed QC checks by the intended vendor.

 

 

Just speaking from my own experience, I purchased a new pump from NAPA for my 1996 LT4; zero problems