Topic: Water Pump Bad?

[ChrisV289]

I noticed last night while running my car in the garage that coolant was leaking out of the weep hole on the water pump a little bit.  Does this generally mean the pump is now bad and needs to be replaced?  I installed this pump from O'Reilly back in 2012. 

[carlite65]

sounds like the seal has dried out a bit. it can be rebuilt. search here for that service.

[ChrisV289]

I have a date code correct one to put on the car I have been waiting to install, guess now is the time..

[67gtasanjose]

I have a date code correct one to put on the car I have been waiting to install, guess now is the time..

Good to see you have a replacement for the aftermarket one! 1-ahead of the game! I hope it has a recent rebuild too (seals can dry out from sitting w/o coolant)

Also, (assuming you have a 289) Be careful when removing the old pump (stuck gaskets), more-so since you have done it once already.

Several of the bolts reach through the timing cover to the block. After removing all of the water pump bolts, TAP UPWARDS on the nose of the water pump to release the gasket, NOT DOWNWARDS. This will reduce a risk of a seeping or leaking timing cover gasket. Keep in mind there is no guarantee a leak may not appear immediately at that timing cover gasket or a leak might grow to appear later down the road there.  You might also know that changing the timing cover gaskets isn't a walk in the park either. Sometimes, the simplest of jobs can grow into a can of worms.

I hope I am not discouraging you from doing it again, just noting the possibilities to help you or others understand the risks of these "basic" jobs.

[ChrisV289]

I had replaced the timing cover at the same time because I developed a leak between the block and the cover.  When removing the parts found out the water pump had a c8 engineering number and was cast iron and not the aluminum one I need and the timing over had a 1971 date code on it.  The correct one I had rebuilt by a1 Cardone about 2 years ago and sitting in a drawer in the house.  Not looking forward to it again since I have AC and power steering but all the bolts are new and I still have the AMK sheet that tells me which ones go where 

[Texas Swede]

If the correctly date coded water pump is of the aluminum variety you know
you need another front cover than the type you have now with a cast iron water pump.
Texas Swede

[ChrisV289]

If the correctly date coded water pump is of the aluminum variety you know
you need another front cover than the type you have now with a cast iron water pump.
Texas Swede

No, I changed the everything to the correct version 2 years ago.  The timing cover is date code correct with the current aluminum water pump from O'Reilly that is now leaking.  The rebuild water pump that is date code correct is also aluminum.  I got rid of the cast iron pump and the other timing cover.