My 70 Cutlass has had 5 water pumps replaced since new, and it needs a 6th. The previous owner kept all receipts and the last one was done in 09. Are the OEM pumps crap? I'd like to replace it with something better, as well as radiator, hoses etc. Also, am I better off with a clutch fan? Thanks for your help.

 

You might consider sending a good H2O pump core off to a rebuilder yourself instead of buying off-the-shelf stuff from the parts stores.

>Get a factory core with the cast iron impeller. The parts store rebuilds use a cheaper, less efficient, stamped steel impeller. You should be able to source an original with the cast impeller from one of the guys dealing with used parts on this board if you don't have access to one locally.

>By all means...use a stock fan and fan clutch. You don't need the most HD clutch available (they actually require a fan with blades that have more pitch to them). A factory 6 blade fan and a fan shroud (if you don't have one already).

>New hoses, etc...all good.

 

Aside from the bad pump, is your current sytem working?

 

Are the OEM pumps crap?
==================
Not really. Owning an Olds V8 since oh 1976 [though not driving one every year] I have replaced maybe 2 or 3 because they were leaky. Rarely see one with problems at the junkyard, other than when they crammed into a tree or pole.

 

Thanks for the advice. The system does seem to work alright, but the bearing is noisy and the fan seems to be "wobbly". When it does heat up, it will discharge coolant, and I have no overflow to catch it, therefore I'm topping it up fairly often. Thanks again, this site is full of info.

 

The coolant level should be an inch or so below the filler neck. The level would be a little over the transmission cooling line. There's a mark on the outside of the radiator if you can find it.

If you keep topping it off you will run a never ending cycle of what you've been doing. Water expands when the system is hot, it has no other place to go but out.

I would just get a quality water pump and install it. Maybe give the system a flush and replace the coolant with new if has not been done in a while.

 

You can get an overflow jug from the local auto parts store for under $10:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...0186&ppt=C0331

 

i just did what you are thinking about. Your problem might not be just the water pump, if you have a bent or out of balance fan blade it will shorten the life of the water pump, basically just beats it to death. I'd get a new pump from how ever has the longest warranty, install a the fan clutch and fan they do work very well and an proper shroud if you don't have one. A radiator is an expensive thing to replace, I just put a new on in from US Radiator I about choked on the price, I'd at least have a local shop look at yours to see if it really needs to be replaced or if a good cleaning might get a few more years out of it.
Stop filling the radiator full unless you add an overflow tank.

 

Haha, my bad then! Good advice on the fan wearing the pump, I'm going to pull everything apart and have a good look. Thanks again.

 

Ooooh, one more thing- if the belts are overly tightened, then the resulting excess side loading will also lead to premature bearing failure. A common mistake is to remove the Air Conditioning pump, but leave the alternator in place so the PS and alternator are on the same side. It is better, as the factory did, to place the loads on opposite sides if possible, to best balance the loads on the water pump.

Is your setup 100% stock?

 

Use fresh coolant and pure water.