Hey all, looks like I'm gonna need to be replacing my water pump. Need one for a 72 cutlass 350 with AC. Been searching for one I think will be good but need help deciding between a couple.

There is this one from Napa, doesn't list any dimensions or if its for AC or not though.
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...107_0258170874

Then there is this one from Advance, which does say its for AC, but I am unsure of the quality of the product.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/t...3085/5421683-P

I saw Fusick's had one too, but it was close to a $100. These are below $50 which is much better, but are they inferior? Anyone who has experience let me know.

 

I'm all for inexpensive, most of the replacement water pumps I've bought over the years have been trouble free. To be sure you get the right one compare and match dimensions and impeller size to the old one.

 

Check rockauto.com.

 

I put a new (not remanufactured) Duralast water pump from Autozone in my '73 wagon with a 455 last December. It was about $40. Fit right in, and no problems so far.

 

I wonder if they actually sell any.

Rockauto sells several different brands (Cardone, Airtex, Gates, AC/Delco), and even the most expensive of these is less than $50. What you get for double this at Fusick is beyond me.

 

For what its worth, I have worked part time at AZ for about 10 years and we dont get many returns on the Duralast water pumps. I can,t think of the last time I have seen one in the return bin.

 

Are those duralast water pumps aluminum?
I like the original style cast impellars on replacement pumps.

 

X2 on autozone

 

Yeah, so do I but almost no one uses them - all I have seen since the 80s-90s are the stamped steel impellers.

I should say that I have a parts store reman pump with a stamped steel impeller on my car and I don't have any cooling issues, even in our 115+ summer temps, so maybe the type of impeller isn't really an issue.

 

Looks like the Valueraft remanufactured pumps have the cast impeller if you have to have one. Duralast has the steel. I had inquired about the differences at one time, and was told the new impellers move coolant as good or better and have a lighter rotating mass. I personally got the Duralast, I like the Lifetime warranty.

 

manufacturing and cost differences aside, you will want to make sure before getting too far in that the main fitment features match

LENGTH from pulley mtg surface to gasket surface- 5.1, 5.6, or 6.1"
INLET DIAMETER- esp 70-72 when it may be 1-3/4 or 2" OD

Then you can worry about impeller type, impeller size, font of the casting ID, etc.

You can get an original rebuilt also

What is the factory ID on your pump?
Do not sell your original casting to the parts store for $5 esp. if it is an "X" casting...

 

I would take a small wooden dowel and I would figure out how long your neck of the waterpump is. I went through hell trying to find a 5.1" waterpump, everyone said I needed the 5.6, but my original was a 5.1.

If you end up needing a 5.1, let us know, I'll give you the cross reference numbers I had to use.

 

I just got one from rock auto verynice

 

Look around and see if you can find a NOS pump for your car. I found one for my 65 still in the GM box they cost a little more but are correct in every way.

 

Sure, NOS is always best

Do you have your casting ID?
Look on the RH outlet boss for a large ID character such as 4, circle, dot, X, 3, 2, 1, etc.
On the inlet adjacent to the radiator hose typically is a 6-digit casting number also. With that info, we can probably decipher what the GM part # is so you can maybe locate a new one. Or, at the very least, my database will tell the length, inlet diameter, and such relevant info.

Take a gander at the photos in this thread if you need guidance

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...h-factory.html