My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

[Joe L.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

Can the Bearing/ Seals be removed form a NOS Water Pump and installed in a correct date 1978 Pump?
Thanks, Scott

Scott------


Yes, they could be. However, a better plan would be just to purchase a waterpump rebuild kit, which includes bearing, seal, and gasket, from one of the many sources and use that. Then, you can also leave the NOS pump as-is.

[Scott O.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

Scott------


Yes, they could be. However, a better plan would be just to purchase a waterpump rebuild kit, which includes bearing, seal, and gasket, from one of the many sources and use that. Then, you can also leave the NOS pump as-is.

I suppose that is a better idea, dont need to go further down the hole.
t
Thanks, Scott

[Patrick H.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

Scott------


a better plan would be just to purchase a waterpump rebuild kit, which includes bearing, seal, and gasket, from one of the many sources and use that.

Other than Zip Products, there do not appear to be many (any?) sources for water pump rebuild kits.
I've been looking, as I have one from a 77 to rebuild.

PH

[Joe L.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

Other than Zip Products, there do not appear to be many (any?) sources for water pump rebuild kits.
I've been looking, as I have one from a 77 to rebuild.

PH

Patrick-------

I would think one would be able to get them from Bill Mock.

[Patrick H.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

Patrick-------

I would think one would be able to get them from Bill Mock.

Nope, I asked him.

[Duke W.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

Hundreds of millions of cars have been built and serviced in the last 60+ years with these standard SAE water pump bearings. It's not a "Corvette part", so you need not procure what you need from a "Corvette parts vendor".

Any local bearing supply house should be able to provide the bearing and seal, and you can buy the gasket from any auto parts store. That way you know what you're getting. If you don't have a local bearing supply house there's something called the internet. I bet you can get everything through Amazon.

Whether you need the 5/8" or 3/4" size bearing, get the "ball/roller" version and the pump will likely outlive most of us. Given the amount of work it doesn't make any sense to skimp on quality and durability to save a few dollars.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

Hundreds of millions of cars have been built and serviced in the last 60+ years with these standard SAE water pump bearings. It's not a "Corvette part", so you need not procure what you need from a "Corvette parts vendor".

Any local bearing supply house should be able to provide the bearing and seal, and you can buy the gasket from any auto parts store. That way you know what you're getting. If you don't have a local bearing supply house there's something called the internet. I bet you can get everything through Amazon.

Whether you need the 5/8" or 3/4" size bearing, get the "ball/roller" version and the pump will likely outlive most of us. Given the amount of work it doesn't make any sense to skimp on quality and durability to save a few dollars.

Duke

Duke------


Yes, these bearings are definitely available from bearing supply houses. I once purchased some from such a source. They did not have the seals but I was able to get them from another industrial source. In the water pollution control industry I was once involved in, I had many connections to suppliers for parts of pumps. In fact, the seal I purchased were of FAR higher quality than those used for automotive but the configuration was identical. For one thing, the elastomer bellows of the seal was of Viton material. Automotive waterpump seals usually have bellows of neoprene or buna-n. These have a lower temperature tolerance than Viton.

The problem with the bearings is identifying the part numbers for the bearings required for the Corvette waterpumps. I've forgotten the part numbers. There are 4 different bearing assemblies for Corvette waterpumps:

1955-70 small block

1971-82 small block

1965-70 big block

1971-74 big block

I think one would find that obtaining the rear gasket from an automotive store would be difficult, though.

[Joe L.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

Nope, I asked him.

Patrick------

It must be that he just doesn't want to sell them. I don't understand how he could rebuild waterpumps if he doesn't have a source for the bearings, seals and gaskets.

[Patrick H.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

Patrick------

It must be that he just doesn't want to sell them. I don't understand how he could rebuild waterpumps if he doesn't have a source for the bearings, seals and gaskets.

I'm sure it's that he doesn't want to sell them.
He will rebuild them, and based on price his bearings must be made of gold.

[Joe L.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

I'm sure it's that he doesn't want to sell them.
He will rebuild them, and based on price his bearings must be made of gold.

Patrick-------


Maybe I should research those bearing and seal part numbers, buy a gross of each, and re-sell them at a profit. Wait! That won't work. I don't sell parts. So, if I were to buy a gross of each, I'd just add them to my collection.

[Joe L.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

Hundreds of millions of cars have been built and serviced in the last 60+ years with these standard SAE water pump bearings. It's not a "Corvette part", so you need not procure what you need from a "Corvette parts vendor".

Any local bearing supply house should be able to provide the bearing and seal, and you can buy the gasket from any auto parts store. That way you know what you're getting. If you don't have a local bearing supply house there's something called the internet. I bet you can get everything through Amazon.

Whether you need the 5/8" or 3/4" size bearing, get the "ball/roller" version and the pump will likely outlive most of us. Given the amount of work it doesn't make any sense to skimp on quality and durability to save a few dollars.

Duke

Duke------


I've found that the rear plate gasket is available. Most auto stores would probably not carry it but they could order it.

Mahle----K27091

Fel-Pro----13032

[Patrick H.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

Duke------


I've found that the rear plate gasket is available. Most auto stores would probably not carry it but they could order it.

Mahle----K27091

Fel-Pro----13032

They're easily available on the internet. I have several.

[Dennis C.]

Re: My Favorite Corvette Waterpump

Patrick------

It must be that he just doesn't want to sell them. I don't understand how he could rebuild waterpumps if he doesn't have a source for the bearings, seals and gaskets.

I wouldn't think they would be different then those used on Chevy's? Ecklers and Danchuck's list water pump rebuilding kits. Even LI Corvette Supply lists some rebuilding kits.

Somewhere I have a product line card listing a bunch of different water pump bearings. Haven't seen it in a while and not sure I know where it is. I will post it if I can find it.