My water pump began to leak on my 1992 C4. LT1 5.7L motor. Noticed it leaks when the engine is turned off, looks like it comes out the weep hole on the bottom. Car never overheated or ran really hot though (thank goodness).

Time for a new pump. I heard the the pump for the 92 is specific for that year only? What is my best replacement option? Any newer brands that are better than factory?

I found this one, but it's a little pricey, didn't know if it's a really good one? Money isn't really a big deal just didn't know if anyone has used this one before:

www.corvettemods.com/C4-Corvette-1992-1996-LT1-Water-Pump

Just FYI, I'm not interested in an electric pump conversion at this time, need something with no or little retrofitting.

I would assume the pump comes with gaskets and I'm also getting an new thermostat.

Other than that, is there anything else recommended to replace such as the water pump coupler seal? < This was something I read somewhere. I know to watch for not getting the Optispark wet, seems to be running fine no issue there.

 

Stay away from corvettemods.

Others are more qualified to get you in the right direction so far as the replacement part itself, I have an L98 so don't have to deal with optis and all of that.

But definitely stay away from corvettemods.

 

Will do! Thanks.

I found an AC Delco replacement on Amazon. Got the part number from AC Delco website first, based off my vehicle vin number. I read on this forum that someone recommended the AC Delco replacement. I know everyone has an opinion, but I like hearing input from experienced people.

 

Somebody will chime in. They always do.

Summit Racing or Zip Corvette is where I like to buy my parts. Zip is in Va and I almost always get my part in 1-2 days max. Never had a problem. You can order their catalogue and they'll send you one free of charge.

And I believe that Zip is also a forum vendor.


You could always hit Rock Auto, too. It's kind of pot luck with Rock, though. They always send me tool box magnets with pictures of rice burners so I don't buy from them any more based on that. Ha. Well, that and I'm not so confident of the quality of the parts themselves. Depends on what it is.

 

I am finding everything I need on Rock Auto right now actually. I have used them a lot for my other vehicles in the past.

I will definitely look at Zip Corvette as well. Thanks for the tip.

 

I don't have an LT1, but I've read of people putting in a new water pump and they'd screw in some barb into the weep hole and run like a foot or two of hose. That way if it starts to leak in the future out that hole, it won't drip on the optispark. In my L98, I've been running a brand new Airtex. I recommend getting a brand new pump instead of a rebuilt. I don't know what the issue is with Corvettemods, maybe he can elaborate. But I generally buy from the cheapest place. One thing I'll do is have Summit Racing price match Rock Auto. That way I get the cheaper price, and Summit Racing would probably be easier to deal with regarding warranty issues. I do get annoyed how Rock Auto will say have two items in your cart ship from the same place. But then you add a 3rd item and all of a sudden both of those items are now shipping from two different places. It's so annoying.

 

I can't think of any outfit with a worse reputation than corvette mods around here.

A forum search regarding user experience should suffice. There are many.

 

Get that pump replaced before it takes out the Optispark. If you have high mileage, you might consider replacing it too, Just get an OEM or Delco. They are hard to find. There are some that rebuild them, but I can't comment. Rock auto has about 4 options, and they deliver quick.

 

Interesting. Well I watched mine leak and it didn't look like it was getting on the Optispark. I probably caught this issue before it turned into a really bad leak where it spills it's guts. I realize that Optispark is right behind/underneath the water pump (so glad this forum has people who chime in with good info). But when mine leaked it looked like it was dripping on the bottom skid guard and crankshaft pulley. I like Summit and Rock Auto, those two are ones I have dealt with for a long time with any vehicle I have had. I did check out that Zip Corvette and it looks like a great site too. And YES! I noticed Rock Auto does that LOL I have no idea why, I just shrub it off and they usually have it in stock and ship it in a timely manner.

I'll have to read around the forum and see what people have said/say about them. Never dealt with them so I have no idea what they are like. I usually go with what the majority of people seem to gravitate towards.

That's the goal! My mileage is 43,800ish miles, I just bought it earlier in July. Car is clean and solid overall, runs like a champ. So I don't think the Optispark has been compromised, I have been reading what the symptoms are if one is bad or going bad, seems like it throws obvious signs none of which my car seems to be doing. I did go with Rock Auto and ordered an AC Delco Gold water pump (NEW) w/gaskets, water pump coupler seal, and water pump coupling (just in case). My mechanic has the new thermostat in hand. Now I wait for the parts and the work to be done.

 

I went with an AC Delco from Rockauto for my 96. Sealed up well. Yes, it came with gaskets.
Along with a thermostat I also got a new cap from Rockauto - they have the one with the stock markings.

Take a look at your hoses and belt. I replaced mine while I was there as well.

 

Another nice mod for the LT1/4 water pumps is to put a fitting into the weep hole, then a piece of tubing. Route the tubing down the front of the motor so that if/when it weeps again, it will drain onto the ground and not onto the opti. I did this on my ImpalaSS years ago and can't remember the size of the fitting, but it would be a fitting like this: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-221003

Another nice trick while the water pump is out of the way is to smear some RTV around the opti cap to ensure a good seal.

 

If its leaking it is hitting the opti spark.
Optis are not hard to rebuild. If you are mechanically inclined, I am sure there are good kits out there to replace the seal, cap and rotor etc. The Optical sensor should be fine at your mileage, even the age of the car..
But, good luck.

 

When I did my water pump on my L98. I got Felpro gaskets. They are paper. And so I got a can of spray gasket sealant. It was read in color. And so I sprayed both sides of both gaskets before I installed the water pump. That way to help keep the gaskets from leaking as I generally don't like paper gaskets, but that was all I could see available for L98.

 

When I changed out the water pump my 93, I got a new cap and rotor kit from Petris. They have a kit that will vent your opti like GM did.

 

Wow thanks for all the replies everyone,

I apologize the last several days have been busy for me.

Water pump is replaced, new thermostat, new coupler, and new coupler seals. All good for it's first weekend of driving.

Also, there is no issues with the Optispark.

I appreciate all the information given here. I like learning new things or tips and tricks from other owners.