Replacement water pump and opti -brand preference?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 32
From: Mission Viejo California
Replacement water pump and opti -brand preference?
I'm about to replace the opti. Is there any preference on the brand of water pump? It seems the deco is the consensus best but it sounds like even they are not as good as they may have been. The cheaper options are sounding good but we"ll see how hard it is to get mine out. With the aftermarket balancer it may not be as hard.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 30
From: Riverside California
Replaced my WP with a NAPA pump made by Gates, great fit and comes with a lifetime warranty. I ordered a ACDelco Pro pump and it didn't fit. I pulled my Opti and replaced just the cap and rotor, inside looked good. Went with a MDS, it came with the kit to hook it up to the vacuum. Vette runs smooth and cool. So far so good and saved a few bucks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 47
From: munising MI USA
I haven't done mine but the parts are there waiting for warmer weather. Everyone will tell you delco is the way to go for an opti but its about like telling you elvis would be a good singer for your kids birthday. You just wont find one. I waded through all the bragging and bashing of optis on here and went with a petri. It seemed to be bashed the least but isn't cheap. Water pump is a delco. I also picked up a new radiator and hoses and new waterpump, opti, and front main seals and an oil pan gasket. Figure its an 92 at at that age even with low miles it sure isn't going to hurt to replace all of it.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 30
From: Riverside California
If you don't have the tool to install the water pump seal on the engine search ebay for:
92-97 LT1 water pump drive seal install tool
$7 plus 1.99 shipping.
I used a Large sharpie cover to slide the seal on the shaft. Worked great. The tool on eBay was $25, but now has been reduced to $7,might just. buy one for my next C4.
By the way used PB Blaster on the harmonic. balancer, used a small pry bar and gently rocked it back and forth to get it off. Nice to have a California car with no rust to weld that balancer on the hub.
92-97 LT1 water pump drive seal install tool
$7 plus 1.99 shipping.
I used a Large sharpie cover to slide the seal on the shaft. Worked great. The tool on eBay was $25, but now has been reduced to $7,might just. buy one for my next C4.
By the way used PB Blaster on the harmonic. balancer, used a small pry bar and gently rocked it back and forth to get it off. Nice to have a California car with no rust to weld that balancer on the hub.
