Whaleman

I am changing the opti,plugs and wires on my 96 base. The PO did tell me he had the water pump replaced even though the car only had 27,000 miles. He did not say when. I noticed when I removed it that it did seem to have leaked some in the past even though I have never seen any leakage. Should I just bite the bullet and replace now. Thanks,Dan

pcolt94

You won't sleep well if you don't replace it. And if it does start to leak you will be kicking yourself for not replacing it. Look at the damage it might possible do. IMO

aklim

I'll be blunt. How cheap are you? Assuming you are keeping this car, you can either bite the bullet, knowing that water pump baths are a big issue with the Opti or you can flush it off and see if it repeats itself and risk the opti getting wet, assuming it is not too late already.

In my book, the PO is often either an idiot or a liar. I don't trust a word they say seeing as they are motivated to sell.

Picture shows that some coolant has been there before. Maybe it was a coolant spill, maybe it is an intermittent leak that will get worse with time. You got to ask yourself a question. "Do I feel lucky?".

Silver96ce

Since you already have it off and there's evidence of a prior leak, just change it. When I did my Opti, I changed it along with the thermostat and all of the seals since I'm lazy and don't really like doing the same job a second time.

Whaleman

Thank you all. I am going to replace it. I don't want to do this again very soon. I love my Corvette but did have some choice words for the engineers when changing #8 plug and changing the plug wires on the drivers side. If anyone wants this pump they can have it free for the postage. Thanks again, Dan

WVZR-1

I don't know that I'd be that interested in tossing it just yet. Can you ID the pump from casting information? If it was a 'premium' purchase by the PO maybe you consider options.

What is the casting information?

What are you considering for a replacement?

Whaleman

Casting # on the pump is 10128327. It is AC Delco. I bought the good 251-554 from Rock Auto.

WVZR-1

Let's see what you receive.

I ain't an RA guy so I don't know about the 'GOOD' comment!!

Opposite the 10128327 there's very likely another casting - an OE original I'd think might be GM and anything other than OE I'd think something other than. Could be also under the 10128327.

This is a MasterCraft(maybe) pump used as an example.

vette196

This is the one I bought for my 96...I paid $192.

Whaleman

That is the one I bought. Thanks

mtwoolford

there's a middle road, and always a good idea, even with a new pump, install one of those drain hose kits in the aforementioned weep hole and direct any future leakage away from the opti.

Whaleman

I will for sure!! Dan

ON 8TH

I would replace the seals also.