Big Block Water Pump rebuild

[James W.]

Anyone know where I can get a '72 big block water pump rebuild kit. Looking for the seal and the bearing so I can do it myself. I'm nervous of sending my original water pump casting to anyone to rebuild it. Anyone have experience rebuilding the water pump? I've got a pretty good idea how this works, but just looking for words of wisdom.

Thanks,

Jim

[Mike M.]

Re: Big Block Water Pump rebuild

last time i rebuilt a pump(SB) i too couldn't locate the rebuild "kit" so i went to the local napa store and bought a rebuilt generic pump, gutted it and used its parts to rebuild my old pump. be real careful when pressing the pump apart and back together again as they're real easy to fracture.Good luck, mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Big Block Water Pump rebuild

Jim-----

A few of the Corvette vendors will sell you a rebuild kit for waterpumps. I think that Corvette Central is one of the ones that does. You can't get any of the parts from GM.

As Mike mentions, you need to be very careful when doing the rebuild. These pump housings will fracture very easily if pressure is applied in the wrong places. Among other things, you CANNOT use the legs of the pump to press against.

[Dick W.]

Re: Big Block Water Pump rebuild

Years ago TRW serviced the rebuild kits. I do not know if they do today.

[Clem Z.]

if i remember correctly

a old starter case or generator case make a good fixture to press the pump apart so you can support it around the impeller housing and not by the pump legs which will break the cast iron housing