Engine Mods Outrageous Builds, High-Horsepower Modifications, strokers, and big cams for the Corvette

Clearance issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 13, 2004 | 06:52 PM
  #1  
Caboboy's Avatar
Caboboy
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Default Clearance issues

Has anybody had clearance issues between the water pump and a Cloyes two piece timing cover on an SBC? I just found out my new Milodin pump won't fit.......not even very close, but the stocko from my old motor just makes it.

As it is, it looks like I'll need to get a new pump from the dealership, but I'd prefer to use an aftermarket higher volume pump to take advantage of my new radiator. Any suggestions as to a particular manufacturer? TIA,

Cabo
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2004 | 08:32 PM
  #2  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,667
Likes: 194
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

I have a Stewart Stage 2 pump and had to grind the heads down on a few bolts on the back of the pump to clear the Cloyes timing cover, at least you found the problem before filling it with water
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2004 | 10:56 PM
  #3  
2manyfuncars's Avatar
2manyfuncars
Racer
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 322
Likes: 1
From: Los Gatos, CA
Default edelbrock dimensions

I have a brand new Edelbrock pump in the garage ready to go on my motor. I measured the depth - it is .922 from the highest point on the inside (the bolt heads) to the block mating surface. If you went with countersunk heads instead of hex head bolts you could gain another eigth inch.

Hope this helps.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2004 | 11:50 AM
  #4  
bob's Avatar
bob
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 749
Likes: 2
From: Gabriola BC
Default

Not sure in your case but I believe most water pumps on corvettes are short and many of the aftermarket timing covers require a long pump. Some pump makers have a spacer that you can convert with. I ran into this on my last motor.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2004 | 01:05 PM
  #5  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

I had to machine the front of the Cloyes cover and i machined the pump cover bolts to about half the thickness of the bolt head.

I initially made .080 spacers out of sheet aluminum using the water pump to block gasket as a pattern. what a waste of man hours! They worked, but then the belts were off and I wasn't going to machine the pump pulley face to bring it back .080

Glad to hear that your 421 ci is coming together.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2004 | 04:22 PM
  #6  
Caboboy's Avatar
Caboboy
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Default

OK, problem solved.
The Milodin pump had a cover plate on the back that was rolled convex around the perimeter (for strength I guess) and that caused the reduction in clearance to the point I couldn't even grind the Cloyes screw heads down enough to make it work. I got an Edelbrock pump and it'll clear just fine because it has a flat plate on the back.........I just need to clearance 2 or 3 of the hex bolt heads on this plate like mentioned above.

Yes George, it's been quite a while in the works as you well know, but it's getting close now......the old motor is out and the new beast is probably going in tomorrow After all this time, I feel like a little kid at X-Mas..........hey, wait...........I am and it is!!!!!! Here's a look at it, California emissions compliant, and hoping for 500+ CHP and somewhere around 550 torque

Reply
Old Dec 14, 2004 | 05:59 PM
  #7  
VetNutJim's Avatar
VetNutJim
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
Default

I don't think that motor is going to fit into your Vette.

It'd be best if you put it on a pallet and sent it to me.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2004 | 06:41 PM
  #8  
Caboboy's Avatar
Caboboy
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Default

Originally Posted by VetNutJim
I don't think that motor is going to fit into your Vette.

It'd be best if you put it on a pallet and sent it to me.
Jim, thanx for the offer! It brings a tear to my eye to think guys are looking out for my welfare like this.......... especially during the holiday season
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 14, 2004 | 06:58 PM
  #9  
SteveG75's Avatar
SteveG75
Race Director
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 668
From: FL
Default

I used the GMPP aluminum pump with my Cloyes cover. Just replaced the bolts on the back of the water pump with socket head screws from Ace Hardware. No problem. It is tight but fits fine.
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2004 | 10:10 AM
  #10  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

Just another person shaming me into installing my 427 small block.

Could you refresh my memory of the cam and heads?
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2004 | 10:15 AM
  #11  
ZD75blue's Avatar
ZD75blue
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
Default

Originally Posted by gkull
Just another person shaming me into installing my 427 small block.

Could you refresh my memory of the cam and heads?
Behold the power of greenies!
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2004 | 08:43 PM
  #12  
Caboboy's Avatar
Caboboy
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Default

Originally Posted by gkull
Just another person shaming me into installing my 427 small block.
Actually, you're the one that shamed me into moving on this thing....... the last time I was over sipping that Courvoisier and drooling over your car and the parts in your garage was the kiss of death. That one little visit ended up costing me more than all the Casinos combined!

It's a Superram with a 219 on a small base circle, and AFR CNCd 195 heads. I'm leaving a lot of HP/Torque on the table going so mild, but the big thing for me was to be up front on emissions compliance. That's OK though, the NOS setup that I already have on the car has an EO # too!
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2004 | 08:57 AM
  #13  
LD85's Avatar
LD85
Race Director
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Default

Hey Tim, is that a 8-1/4 deep pan?

IF it is I had the same pan and it is less than the width of my fist from the bottom of the pan to the ground. The 7-1/4 is much better.

Glad you are making progress, cant wait to know you are grinning ear to ear!
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2004 | 09:41 AM
  #14  
Caboboy's Avatar
Caboboy
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Default

Hey Larry, good morning. Yes, it is 8 1/4 deep........I'll need to keep an eye on it I guess 'cause the motor went in Thursday and I'm not changing it now I guess I better put that on the list if it's a little too close for comfort. I'm sure there'll be other issues too one it's up and running
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2004 | 11:43 AM
  #15  
LD85's Avatar
LD85
Race Director
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Default

You have the play the Carpenters song from teh old days

,,, Its only just beguunnnnnn

Signed,
NEVR DUN
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Clearance issues





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:01 PM.

story-0
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE