I have a 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S convertible, 350 w/air, and block number 395558 2. I recently had a catastrophic water pump failure, see pictures. I ordered Tuff Stuff Water Pump 1444N which is the same height as the broken one (5.6”). I believe it is the correct water pump, but I then noticed that there are washers on the inside of the water pump pulley, which pushes the pulley farther out. When I remove the washers, the pulley grooves do not align, see last picture. I am unable to find any stamping on the pulley to specify what it is. The water pump pulley does measure 5 5/8” in diameter and 3” in height and has 3 grooves. I have read on this site that the 6” water pump, which seems what I might need, is for E Body cars. I am not sure how to figure out the correct pulley, water pump or what is wrong with my combination. I do know that the spacers/washers inside the pulley are not stock. The car has A/C, power steering, and alternator. Thank you in advance for any advise.

Broken Water Pump

Once removed from vehicle

Pulleys not lining up

 

Well, that’s a new type of failure on me! That said, I’ll let someone that has a better knowledge of Olds water pump lengths respond. I hope things sort out smoothly for you.

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I'm confused. Were the washers on your original pump ? If so it was probably the wrong pump to begin with. Or the wrong pulley. Are you sure there isn't a part number stamped into the pulley ?

I cant say I have ever seen a pump break like that. Did you have the belts way too tight ? Any vibrations ? Maybe a bad fan clutch ?

Just thinking out loud

 

The washers had possibly RTV on them to keep them inside the pulley. Then, when the pulley was placed on the pump, it was moved outward to align the grooves. I have only had the car a couple years and it is unknown when the pump was changed and if the pump or pulleys are correct. I will have to remove the paint on the pulley, but I cannot see any stamping. I did not hear or see any vibrations and the fan clutch seems fine.

 

So it was the wrong pump or wrong pulley to start with. A 1969 Cutlass with A/C came from the factory with a 5.6" pump. The original pulley was P/N 399404 KF. Which pulley do you have?

 

It had the 5.6" pump, so I am guessing the pulley is wrong. I purchased a new 5.6" pump and when I went to install the pulley is when I noticed that something was a miss. I can not see a stamp on the pulley. Tomorrow morning I will sand the paint off the pulley and see if I can find the "KF" or whatever may be there. Since I have the correct pump, I will look to purchase a 399404 KF pulley if mine has no stamping or wrong stamping. Thank you Joe!

 

Same for me. In 45 years of Olds wrenching and many years in the auto parts business I have never seen that.

 

I had the front bearing fail completely on an Olds V8 but this takes the cake. You are on the right track, post in the parts wanted.

 

I think the engine has been in a front end accident in the past.

 

Looking at the casting failure you might want to check to see if your fan assembly is turning true with no excessive wobble...

 

The pump that failed appears to be an aftermarket casting and not an OEM pump. My money is on a casting flaw, coupled with the pulley not being aligned correctly due to the washers. A spacer needs to be precision ground to assure flatness. Hardware store washers that are glued in place are not. It doesn't take much offset to cause cyclical loading that leads to fatigue that would cause an existing flaw to propagate into a crack like that. This is fatigue failure 101.

 

PM sent

 

I have purchased a 399404 KF pulley on ebay and hopefully when I receive it, it will be the correct pulley. Now, thanks to everyone's comments, I became concerned that the crankshaft pulley was wrong. Well, it may be...it has a KB Pulley on the crank. From some quick searches it appears to be a non-A/C car which would not be for mine. I believe I need a KC 399405 Pulley...can anyone confirm? My power steering is a KH pulley, and I believe I finally have a correct one on the vehicle.

 

399405 KC is the correct crank pulley and 399406 KH is the correct PS pump pulley.Your KB crank pulley has the grooves in the same location as on the KH pulley so alignment isn't affected, but the diameter is about 3/8" larger, which might pose a clearance problem with the water pump pulley.

 

That must've been a show if it let go while in use and under pressure.

 

It was a loud bang, coolant everywhere and I immediately pulled over and shut it down. I had just started from a stop sign and was going 35 - 40 mph. I feel lucky that there was not more damage.

 

Reminds me of racers who hid Nitrous Oxide and it exploded on them.

 

Here's a brief update: I want to express my gratitude to everyone who shared their insights and expertise. It turns out the previous owner had installed the crank and water pulleys for a non-A/C vehicle. I’ve now replaced the water pump and both pulleys with the correct parts. Everything is aligned and running smoothly. The knowledge on this site is amazing. Thank you!!