le sigh. Water pump no good? HELP!

[CustomChevy]

So I just spent all day pulling and changing the water pump gaskets in my pickup. Only to put it all back together and have it still leaking everywhere.


My though is the bearing is probably done.

heres the question.


Looking at jegs and summit to get an idea of what I'll need it seems that there are both "short" and "long" pumps.

whats the difference? which do i need for a 77 350?

 

[sweetk30]

long. short was from early 70s back. but if diffrent motor and stuff in your ride i would check first. or post a pic we can tell forsure. long pumps have ribs on nose of pump. short dont have them.

 

[goldwing2000]

If your pump is still mounted on the engine, the way to tell long from short will be that there is nearly no space between the timing cover and back of the water pump. The long will have at least one full inch of space in that area.

 

[CustomChevy]

short it is.


thanks brothers

 

[goldwing2000]

Just to verify:

Short:

Long:

This guy sells them both for around $50 for a high volume aluminum pump with all gaskets and stainless hardware:
http://stores.ebay.com/whiteperformance1

 

[sweetk30]

thanks for posting pics i feel better with pics posted so he can get a better idea of the 2 styles.

 

[R72K5]

short pump ended in 1972 on trucks, long pump began for the 73 model year, same as first of the second gen trucks

but who knows what style accessories youre running


and there are ribs on some of the short pumps, depending on application, especially the big bolt trucks like the old 283 327 c-50s, c-60's etc


good luck

 

[CustomChevy]

ok maybe not.


I just went to check again, and i wouldn't say theres a "Full inch" between the timing cover and the pump. more like 3/4" or a c**t hair less.

 

[goldwing2000]

Gots to make sure I'm giving out good info.

 

[sweetk30]

if you can get finger in there then long

 

[goldwing2000]

ok maybe not.


I just went to check again, and i wouldn't say theres a "Full inch" between the timing cover and the pump. more like 3/4" or a c**t hair less.

I'd call that long. A short will only have about 1/8" or so.

 

[CustomChevy]

again, thanks brothers.


one more, since i'm at it.

When i did the gaskets today, i did all 3 (both blocks, and the cover). It look like (without pulling again to be SURE) the leak could either be at the cover, or from the weep.

Would you have, or not have, used RTV or something similar when replacing the cover gasket.

I cleaned the two serfaces of the old gasket and crap, but did not use rtv. dropped in the gasket and bolted it back up.

 

[goldwing2000]

I would have either used a very thin film of RTV or some high-tack. Depends on the condition of the sealing surface.

If you crawl under the truck, you should be able to see if its coming from the weep hole.

 

[CustomChevy]

weep hole is compleatly blocked by the crank pully.

I suppose it can't hurt to pull it again tomorrow and try some rtv on there.

 

[goldwing2000]

weep hole is compleatly blocked by the crank pully.

I suppose it can't hurt to pull it again tomorrow and try some rtv on there.

I hope by "on there" you mean the cover plate and not the weep hole.

 

[CustomChevy]

I hope by "on there" you mean the cover plate and not the weep hole.

correct.

 

[CustomChevy]

didn't see the link to that guys e-bay store. thats WAY WAY WAY cheaper than anything aluminium locally.


I loves forced upgrades

 

[dyeager535]

When i did the gaskets today, i did all 3 (both blocks, and the cover). It look like (without pulling again to be SURE) the leak could either be at the cover, or from the weep.

Would you have, or not have, used RTV or something similar when replacing the cover gasket.

I cleaned the two serfaces of the old gasket and crap, but did not use rtv. dropped in the gasket and bolted it back up.

The chances of a water pump just randomly starting leaking from the sealing surfaces have got to be about 0, especially if you've already pulled it once.

Wipe the underside of the pump off with a rag, make sure as much of it is dry as possible, start the rig, then turn it off. Stick your finger under the pump and see if the weep hole is wet. If it is, replace the pump.

 

[HarryH3]

You really don't need a high-zoot aluminum pump. In the US a NEW iron replacement pump for most Chevies is about $28.

 

[Thunder]

You really don't need a high-zoot aluminum pump. In the US a NEW iron replacement pump for most Chevies is about $28.

Couldn't agree more. The weight savings an alu pump gives aint going to stack up to a hill of beans in a 5500K lb truck .Aluminium pumps are more of a drag racing iten to save weight. Save your money for other things.
Also If you have a fan clutch I highly recomend you replace that also. Unless you know it is new and in good shape. If the fan clutch is bad it will just take out the bearings and seal in your new pump in a short time and you will be leaking again.
If there is any oil leaking from the FC. Or You can wiggle the fan blades back and forth a lot it is shot.