Water Pump Gaskets Leaking

[Stewart A.]

After getting my 1960 on the road, it was shortly spoiled by the water pump gasket blowing between the engine mount bracket and the engine block.
So I bought a numbers matching correct pump while it was all apart and this time used permatex on the gaskets and on the bolts instead of a silastic.
I drove it for 1500 miles give or take over the last 2 months, tightened the bolts on the pump half a dozen times. And it blew again !!
This time I bought a new engine mount bracket the old one was getting rather pitted, the bolt holes were starting to get real close to the water inlet and outlet holes. I used new bolts this time new flat washers and spring washers. I used permatex for the gaskets and GM bolt sealer for the bolts this time. I realize the water pump holds the front of the motor up but why do the the bolts keep undoing. I'm scared to drive it on a long trip in fear of being transported home on the back of a truck. Am I missing something here or just unlucky. Stewy

[Bret B.]

Re: Water Pump Gaskets Leaking

Stewart,
I had a similar problem with my 1960 - got a leak, changed gaskets, still leaked, changed bracket & gaskets - very similar problem. Frustrated - I was getting ready to "pin" the ##%%!! thing together - but as a last resort - decided to buy one of those coolant leak kits where you put dye into the radiator and look for leaks with a UV light. Lo and behold - the leak was coming from the intake manifold, dripping down to the water pump creating the confusion. I replace the manifold gaskets - bingo - it was solved.

bret

[William C.]

Re: Water Pump Gaskets Leaking

I've driven my '62 several thousand miles without incident, so it can be done, start by pulling the system apart, and checking the front face of the block, including the threads on the block and the bolts. If the bolt is not tight in the threads then helicoil the threads in the block. Reassemble with new gaskets. I did not use any sealer on the gaskets, just clean flat surfaces and good threads. Check carefully the bolts for both length and thread. Torque the bolts to the factory spec and you should be good to go.

[Roy B.]

Re: Water Pump Gaskets Leaking

Same here had no problem , your just unlucky

[Stuart F.]

Re: Water Pump Gaskets Leaking

Roy;

Speaking of being unlucky; if you'd have played your cards right, you could have had one of those "less than 10" V6 equipped 55 Corvettes. Then you'd really have a valuable prize, Ha! (see earlier thread report on Vette Vues April issue).

Stu Fox

[Roy B.]

Re: Water Pump Gaskets Leaking

Roy;

Speaking of being unlucky; if you'd have played your cards right, you could have had one of those "less than 10" V6 equipped 55 Corvettes. Then you'd really have a valuable prize, Ha! (see earlier thread report on Vette Vues April issue).

Stu Fox

Dont get VV and still waiting for restorer V6 55 Corvette???

[Clem Z.]

Re: Water Pump Gaskets Leaking

After getting my 1960 on the road, it was shortly spoiled by the water pump gasket blowing between the engine mount bracket and the engine block.
So I bought a numbers matching correct pump while it was all apart and this time used permatex on the gaskets and on the bolts instead of a silastic.
I drove it for 1500 miles give or take over the last 2 months, tightened the bolts on the pump half a dozen times. And it blew again !!
This time I bought a new engine mount bracket the old one was getting rather pitted, the bolt holes were starting to get real close to the water inlet and outlet holes. I used new bolts this time new flat washers and spring washers. I used permatex for the gaskets and GM bolt sealer for the bolts this time. I realize the water pump holds the front of the motor up but why do the the bolts keep undoing. I'm scared to drive it on a long trip in fear of being transported home on the back of a truck. Am I missing something here or just unlucky. Stewy

use the thinnest gaskets you can find as the thicker ones keep compressing. counter sink the threaded holes in the block so you have a flat surface as the threads can "pull" leaving that area "higher" than the flat area. i always used "non hardening permatex on the bolts and gasket. make sure there is no paint on the surfaces where the gaskets set

[Stewart A.]

Re: Water Pump Gaskets Leaking

I'm just wondering, there is a bit of play in the bolt hloes. The 3/8 bolts do wobble about when half way in. Maybe I should helicoil the block, I never thought of that. if it goes again I will try that, it makes sense. loose bolts will undo. Stewy

[Clem Z.]

Re: Water Pump Gaskets Leaking

I'm just wondering, there is a bit of play in the bolt hloes. The 3/8 bolts do wobble about when half way in. Maybe I should helicoil the block, I never thought of that. if it goes again I will try that, it makes sense. loose bolts will undo. Stewy

i would try loctite before trying the helicoils

[Stewart A.]

Re: Water Pump Gaskets Leaking

The water pump bolts leak. So does locktite make leakproof goo that locks the bolts in and stops thread leak. Stewy

[Clem Z.]

Re: Water Pump Gaskets Leaking

i don'tremember the # but check the loc tite website