Tried searching the site first but didn't really find what I was looking for. Need to replace my water pump, and while the typical offerings from AutoZone, Advance Auto, NAPA, etc, are like $30-$40, the ones from SuperCars Unlimited and BAP are a lot more ($89). Are they actually any different/better? They don't provide much info on their sites. I am certainly willing to pay the extra if they are indeed better, as it seems like all the ones from the chains are very iffy.

 

Maybe the diference is one is new and the cheaper ones are rebuilt. If they require a core, they are rebuilt.

 

I have never had a problem with a quality remanufactured water pump from the local O'Reilly's or NAPA auto parts store.

 

X2 on using one from a local autoparts store. Also, your just a few bolts away from changing your timing set if its never been done. Now would be a good time.

 

The water pumps you can buy from auto part chain stores are pretty much all brand new, sourced from Cardone. Super cars as one example are selling rebuilt original's with the correct casting numbers. That is why you are paying a premium. If you are going for a stock look an original rebuilt looks much better that the new water pumps which have no numbers on them at all.

 

If you're into numbers matching resto, you can have your original water pump rebuilt.

 

I think if the rebuilt one has a new bearing in it there is a blue or green ink circle on the cast somewhere.

 

Before you buy it, are you sure that it's the right shaft length?

 

Haven't measured mine yet, but the car has AC, so I suspect it will be the ~6" version, and will make sure whatever I get is correct.

 

http://www.flowkoolerwaterpumps.com/ will put their internals into a numbers matching casting.

 

OK, so got the old pump out, and am waiting for the paint I ordered to come in so I can paint the new one before putting it in. In the meantime I was researching the casting number from the old one, as I was thinking of getting it rebuilt and putting it on the shelf. It is 412265, which was apparently used from 73-80, and the one for 72 (with AC) should be 407586.

I went on AutoZone's site and checked a few other years (1973 and 1975), and it comes up with the same CWP-455 pump that's also listed for 1972, which is the one I got. So I am somewhat confident that I'm OK, but was wondering if anyone knew of any differences between the 407586 and 412265 pumps, or are they physically the same and just had different casting numbers for some reason?

Also, been wondering about using something like Permatex in addition to the gasket? Have found a lot of opinions for and against.

 

I always use some form of gasket sealer on both sides of the water pump gasket.