Corvette Water Pump Applications

[Lynn H.]

Here I go clogging up the board again!!
Does anyone know if there was ever published anywhere, a complete list of correct water pump applications as recognized by the NCRS, such as the information on other components in the spec guides?
Or maybe why that information is NOT in those guides?

I do have all of Colvins' books (which I highly recommended to serious parts hunters), so I do have some good reference material. I just have never seen this, and I do have most of the old "corvette restorers". I was just curious (I'm kinda like that) if the NCRS has ever published this and if not, WHY??

[Joe L.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

Here I go clogging up the board again!!
Does anyone know if there was ever published anywhere, a complete list of correct water pump applications as recognized by the NCRS, such as the information on other components in the spec guides?
Or maybe why that information is NOT in those guides?

I do have all of Colvins' books (which I highly recommended to serious parts hunters), so I do have some good reference material. I just have never seen this, and I do have most of the old "corvette restorers". I was just curious (I'm kinda like that) if the NCRS has ever published this and if not, WHY??

Gilbert-----


I believe that each of the various NCRS Judging Guides have the information for the model year or range of model years they cover. However, it's not in the general NCRS Corvette Specifications Guides.

In any event, I think you will find that the information in the Chevrolet By The Numbers books by Colvin will align very closely with what is specified in the various judging guides. So, if you have those books, and especially the Corvette By The Numbers you will have pretty much all the information you seek.

[Lynn H.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

Thanks Joe. I do have all those, and they are al great books. I am cleaning house a little (getting rid of a pile of water pumps), and doing some identification. I have read some of the posts that have been on the board in the past and seen where some members have questioned things such as, when and if the 175 versus the 326 pumps were used and on what applications, and wondered if there was something that was recognized by the NCRS specifically. I appreciate your help.
Thanks,
Gilbert (my friends call me Lynn) Houk 328522

[Joe L.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

Thanks Joe. I do have all those, and they are al great books. I am cleaning house a little (getting rid of a pile of water pumps), and doing some identification. I have read some of the posts that have been on the board in the past and seen where some members have questioned things such as, when and if the 175 versus the 326 pumps were used and on what applications, and wondered if there was something that was recognized by the NCRS specifically. I appreciate your help.
Thanks,
Gilbert (my friends call me Lynn) Houk 328522

Gilbert-----


The '609'/'175'/'326' is one issue where there is some "controversy" as to periods of use. I don't think that will be settled in any of the books or JG. However, all 3 were used on Corvettes in the 61-67 period. Exactly when during the period is the question. I think there was likely an "overlap" in usage. Functionally, any of these is 100% interchangeable for any external bypass application during the period.

[Lynn H.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

Thanks again Joe!!
Joe,
My biggest reason for attempting to figure some of this out is that is that I want to keep a couple of the pumps I have for use on my own long time restoration projects, as well as one that would be correct for my mostly all original 63, that I do know had the water pump replaced before I bought it. I am sure most of us have been through a situation where we sold or got rid of a part (usually that has laid around for years unused), only to find later that you now need that exact part. Aside from keeping everything (which if you seen my garage you would think I do), I know this cannot be avoided all the time. I do seem to remember that this is not something that is judged due to the ability to actually see these numbers once installed, but it's always nice to have the right one anyway. All that said, do you have any recommended suggestions as to what pump I should keep for a late (19- 20 K VIN number) 63 300HP car. The guy I purchased this car from had to replace the original right before I got the car. Bearing let go and messed up the pulley which he saved, but he traded in the orignal pump as a core. I do have a non dated 608 pump that I have set aside for this. Does this seem to be my best bet from your experience?
Also as far as the dating on the pumps I have read that no pumps were dated before November of 65, or somewhere around there. Is this something I can take to the bank when attempting to identify some of my pumps? For instance, I have a 3839175 that is dated E4 3. Colvins' book states correct for 63 64 solid lifter motors, but would an original have been dated? Hard for me to believe they were still making this casting number for service or something as late as 73?
Also I have an undated 326 pump that has the 3/4" NPT by pass hole. Do you believe this is something that has modified? i had posted a question on the board a few days ago nquiring about this , but as of yest have not seen any responses.
Any thoughts on these issues?
As with many other things on these cars we all enjoy so much, the more we learn, the more questons we have (or me anyway). I very much appreciate your taking the time to respond to my questions. I have read many of your posts in the past, and I find them to be very insightful as well as educational , and accurate.
I would be happy to hear anyone elses thoughts on this also, if they would like to chime in.
THANKS AGAIN !!!!
Lynn

[Joe L.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

Thanks again Joe!!
Joe,
My biggest reason for attempting to figure some of this out is that is that I want to keep a couple of the pumps I have for use on my own long time restoration projects, as well as one that would be correct for my mostly all original 63, that I do know had the water pump replaced before I bought it. I am sure most of us have been through a situation where we sold or got rid of a part (usually that has laid around for years unused), only to find later that you now need that exact part. Aside from keeping everything (which if you seen my garage you would think I do), I know this cannot be avoided all the time. I do seem to remember that this is not something that is judged due to the ability to actually see these numbers once installed, but it's always nice to have the right one anyway. All that said, do you have any recommended suggestions as to what pump I should keep for a late (19- 20 K VIN number) 63 300HP car. The guy I purchased this car from had to replace the original right before I got the car. Bearing let go and messed up the pulley which he saved, but he traded in the orignal pump as a core. I do have a non dated 608 pump that I have set aside for this. Does this seem to be my best bet from your experience?
Also as far as the dating on the pumps I have read that no pumps were dated before November of 65, or somewhere around there. Is this something I can take to the bank when attempting to identify some of my pumps? For instance, I have a 3839175 that is dated E4 3. Colvins' book states correct for 63 64 solid lifter motors, but would an original have been dated? Hard for me to believe they were still making this casting number for service or something as late as 73?
Also I have an undated 326 pump that has the 3/4" NPT by pass hole. Do you believe this is something that has modified? i had posted a question on the board a few days ago nquiring about this , but as of yest have not seen any responses.
Any thoughts on these issues?
As with many other things on these cars we all enjoy so much, the more we learn, the more questons we have (or me anyway). I very much appreciate your taking the time to respond to my questions. I have read many of your posts in the past, and I find them to be very insightful as well as educational , and accurate.
I would be happy to hear anyone elses thoughts on this also, if they would like to chime in.
THANKS AGAIN !!!!
Lynn

Lynn-----

The undated 3782608 would be the correct pump for your 1963 300 hp.

If you have a 3839175 pump which is dated E 4 3, that completely disproves the notion that this casting was never dated. The date code you have MUST represent May 3, 1963. This casting was LONG out-of-production by 1973. The 3 could not actually be any other numeral often confused on casting numbers, either. That's because the 3839175 casting was only produced during the 1963-64 period and, possibly, very early 1965. So, the 3 has to be a 3.

I would say that the '326' pump with the 3/4" NPT bypass fitting is likely a commercail rebuilder's conversion. This was common. However, it is possible that the '326' may have been used early-on (i.e. before dating began) for some truck applications which may have used the 3/4" fitting. In fact, the main purpose for the change to the '175' and '326' castings was to enlarge the upper boss to accept the 3/4" fitting. So, it seems reasonable to assume that there were applications requiring that at the very beginning. Corvette, of course, used the 1/2" NPT fitting.

[Lynn H.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

Great info and thanks once agin Joe!!!

I have never posted any pictures, and am not sure of the process to do so, but I wll try to post a photo of this pump (the 175) later this evening just in case someone would like to see it. Just for the record I do have a couple of other pumps from before November of 65, both are 608's. One is E19 4, and the other is E17 5. I have often wondered about this dating of the water pump thing, but do not know enough about it to say that I know anything (which I probably don't).
THANKS AGAIN !!!!
Lynn

[Joe L.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

Great info and thanks once agin Joe!!!

I have never posted any pictures, and am not sure of the process to do so, but I wll try to post a photo of this pump (the 175) later this evening just in case someone would like to see it. Just for the record I do have a couple of other pumps from before November of 65, both are 608's. One is E19 4, and the other is E17 5. I have often wondered about this dating of the water pump thing, but do not know enough about it to say that I know anything (which I probably don't).
THANKS AGAIN !!!!
Lynn

Lynn-----


'608' casting dating is reported to have begun in March, 1964. So, both of the pumps you mention would fall after that time. The date of initiation of dating varied a little bit for the various castings.

It would be great to see photos of the '175' you have. Posting pictures to the board is very easy; it would have to be or I would not be able to do it.

[Jack H.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

Also in the mix here is the casting source for the pump's body. We pretty well agree on Saginaw/Flint as the source for SB Corvette engine components, but Tonawanda also made similar parts.

They dated water pump housing casts as far back as 1959...

[Joe L.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

Also in the mix here is the casting source for the pump's body. We pretty well agree on Saginaw/Flint as the source for SB Corvette engine components, but Tonawanda also made similar parts.

They dated water pump housing casts as far back as 1959...

Jack------


I don't know if Tonawanda manufactured any '175' pumps, but they may have. The '175' would not have been used for many passenger car engines manufactured at Tonawanda, but there may have been truck applications for it and those engines may well have been manufactured at Tonawanda.

[Lynn H.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

I am attempting to post a couple of photos of the 3839175 water pump. Hopefully this works!!
Lynn

[Lynn H.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

I DID IT!!!!!!!
In line with what Joe had said, I do have at least one pump laying in my pile that is a Tonawanda casting, but I do not remember which one right off hand without going out to look. Another WP question for Joe (or anyone else who may have a apinion):
Once of my later C3 pumps (330813) has a "P" after the casting number.
330813P, and it also does not contain a date code. It does have a couple of other "markings" that appear to be "stamped" into the casting.
Just wondering.......

I can post photo if someone wants to see it (now that I have figured that out).
THANKS EVERYONE ONCE AGAIN,
Lynn

Also, if anyone has noticed and or cares, I have had my user/login name changed to Lynn (from Gilbert, my "real" name). Just attempting to eliminate confusion!

[Joe L.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

I am attempting to post a couple of photos of the 3839175 water pump. Hopefully this works!!
Lynn

Lynn-----


This is a Saginaw-cast pump. So, dating of the Saginaw-cast, Flint assembled pumps did begin prior to the date widely reported.

[Joe L.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

I DID IT!!!!!!!
In line with what Joe had said, I do have at least one pump laying in my pile that is a Tonawanda casting, but I do not remember which one right off hand without going out to look. Another WP question for Joe (or anyone else who may have a apinion):
Once of my later C3 pumps (330813) has a "P" after the casting number.
330813P, and it also does not contain a date code. It does have a couple of other "markings" that appear to be "stamped" into the casting.
Just wondering.......

I can post photo if someone wants to see it (now that I have figured that out).
THANKS EVERYONE ONCE AGAIN,
Lynn

Also, if anyone has noticed and or cares, I have had my user/login name changed to Lynn (from Gilbert, my "real" name). Just attempting to eliminate confusion!

Lynn----


I have seen the 330813 pumps with the "P" suffix. I don't know what it denotes. However, it may denote casting by an outside foundry. These 330813 castings had very limited application (73-82 Corvettes and some MD/HD trucks). So, it may be that at some point, possibly after they were no longer used in PRODUCTION, GM decided to outsource the casting.

[Lynn H.]

Re: Corvette Water Pump Applications

One more thing about the pumps and I'll quit beating this horse.....
I know this venue is NOT for the advertising buying and selling of parts, but I was contacted privately by another member about the possibility of him purchasing my 326 cores for his own restoration (or so I was told). I would MUCH rather see them go to another member than sell to the rebuilder (who would in turn most likely sell to another member for LOTS more than I got for it). I am NOT one of those guys who has to milk every dollar out of used parts (or thinks that what the rebuilder sells them for is relavant), so I was wondering if anyone had ANY idea what would be a FAIR price would be for a 326 core, or even what they may have seen them sell for in the past. I do realize there are more variables than I can list here, but I would really like to help this guy out if I can and be VERY VERY fair to both of us in the process.
Thanks again,
Lynn