1960-64 water pump
There is lots of good information in the archives concerning 608,609,175,and 326s. The question I have is for a 493. Did all 493's have 3/8 overflows on the top? It appears that the other pipe thread is 3/8 also. Were these used on passenger cars also with a plug? Thanks for you good information in advance. Paul
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Re: 1960-64 water pump
Paul, amigo! The answer to your question is YES.
The Corvette version of the earlier straight axle water pump ('493 casting) had an upper boss that was very small compared to later pumps and it was un-drilled/un-tapped for Chevy/Corvette applications...
But, other GM vehicles used the same basic water pump housing and some DID drill/tap the upper boss to effect an external bypass configuration. Once such 'critter' was Buick.
The pumps used to be plentiful at the scrap yards but they're getting DARN hard to find these days. I had a Buick pump with 3/8" NPT bypass sitting gathering dust in the basement. A local NCRS member 'desparate' for a correct pump core took it and worked wonders on it!
He installed a cast iron pipe plug with an indented drive. Then, he milled the area surrounding the plug flush to the boss. Last, he laid down a coating of 'Lab Metal' (metallic doped epoxy) and when it was about hardened 'tapped' it very coarse sand paper to texture the surface.
When I saw the completed pump painted Chevy orange and installed on his car, I'll have to admit I could NOT detect the modification(s)...
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