Question. Anyone buy a water pump from Auto Zone? I bought one for a 1970 442 w/AC. The hub height was correct @ 5.5" but the water passage does not mate with the water passage opening of the timing cover. The water pump bolts on ok but I am worried about the restriction this would cause. Any thoughts besides not to buy parts made in China? Anyone run into this problem?

 

Take it back, and check it with another one. Also check it with your old one. If off to much, I would ask for my money back and go somewhere else.

 

I did pair up the timing cover to the old water pump and the water ports line up like it should. I will be taking the Duralast water pump back. If I didn't check I would have never have known... wonder if anyone checks or they assume if it bolts up its good? I have to think that if the port is restricted that it is going to make the motor run hotter then it should.

 

I had to replace mine on a 1970 SX and I believe I got the Duralast one from Autozone as well. Didn't have any issues. Here are some pictures I took of the process. It was about 4-5 years ago so I don't remember details too well.

Taking off the original one (had bearing problems)
T7O7m7N.jpg
The old one
E0S4QNM.jpg
None at all
4zb0dRt.jpg
Bolting on the new one... I believe it was essentially identical. Almost positive it was from autozone. Kept the old one and gave it to the buyer when I sold it in case they wanted to rebuild it.
7l4zRPA.jpg

 

I bought one of those for a Ford 460 recently. I checked it against the front cover's plate. Things seemed to match, and so far, it's working well. It's also Chinese. If yours doesn't match, I'd return it. The lifetime replacement warranty ought to apply for a refund as well if they don't have anything better to offer.

 

I bought one from Autozone last year. It was a Cardone remanufactured pump. It worked well. Forgot to mention, I think this was the medium length pump. It had a big "5" on it.

 

The problem with all the photos posted is that it is taken from the front side. I have a spare timing cover which I bolted the water pump to. From the back side you clearly see the even though the water pump bolts up fine on the front the water passage is obstructed by the outer rim of the water pump casting. I will upload some photos so that everyone can see.

 

http://s1111.photobucket.com/user/vi...23731.jpg.html


http://s1111.photobucket.com/user/vi...23751.jpg.html


http://s1111.photobucket.com/user/vi...23741.jpg.html

 

Attachment 112497I was going to start a new thread, then found this one. I have the same problem with AirTex water pump AW1120H. Here are pictures with a spare timing cover. The water pathway do not line up:

 

If you like the pump, then just hog it out.
That's either the wrong gasket or not aligned right. There are 3 (or more?) gaskets that are very nearly identical. Most rebuilds just come with all of them and leave it to you to futz around until you have the right setup.