'59 -60 Water Pump Shaft Measurements?

[Don E.]

I am rebuilding a '59/'60 water pump and I am looking for the distance measurement to set the impeller shaft. Note: The water pump has top boss tapped and threaded.

Any suggestions on where to locate these measurements?


Don

[Joe L.]

Re: '59 -60 Water Pump Shaft Measurements?

I am rebuilding a '59/'60 water pump and I am looking for the distance measurement to set the impeller shaft. Note: The water pump has top boss tapped and threaded.

Any suggestions on where to locate these measurements?


Don

Don-----


I don't know what you mean by "distance measurement to set the impeller shaft". Assuming that one has the correct bearing/shaft assembly, the assembly is pressed into the snout of the waterpump until the outer bearing shell is just below the snout (or below the inner chamfer of the snout if the snout is chamfered). The bearing assembly must be pressed in by exerting force on the outer bearing shell and NOT the shaft. A 7/8" deep socket or 1-1/8" OD tubing will work.

The important dimensions are for the placement of the hub on the shaft and for clearance between the impeller vanes and pump bowl. These are as follows:

1) Hub spacing (measuring from the block contact surface to the face of the hub)-----5-9/16"

2) Impeller vane clearance-----0.010" to 0.035"

The impeller must also be flush to 0.018" below the backing plate machined surface.

By the way, you mentioned that the boss on the top of the pump is drilled and tapped. No 1959-60 Corvette application or any other 59-60 passenger car application for a small block ever originally used a pump so-machined.