I do not have an actual cooling problem, but I did not know where else this should go

For the past couple days ive been hearing a random clicking/rattling noise and thought it was just the exhaust rattling.

I had it up on an alignment rack, running, and noticed it was not the exhaust. I turned it off, checked all the belts and turned it back on. No change

Me and a coworker narrowed it down to the water pump or the pulley. With our ears in the engine compartment we could hear a faint grinding noise followed by the random clicking(coming from the water pump/pulley).

Any ideas?

 

could be the bearing going bad in the water pump or
other accesories;take the belt(s)off, start it up and listen
for the noise-if noise not heard,Stop engine and start
checking the water pump,alternator,A/C pulley and
any other pulleys for a rough bearing,water pump the
one most likely at fault.

 

Thanks, I was a little worried after reading a couple threads stating it wouldn't make the noise im hearing.

Ill get back with a response hopefully within the next couple days.

 

Ill be doing the test tomorrow(removing all the belts and checking for noise), but just in case ive been searching for a new water pump and have a couple questions.

I have an 84 stock l69, and I know a stock replacement will do fine, but what rotation? A part number would also be great.

I cant find the pulley that attaches to the water pump at any store(online).

 

your waterpump is standard (CW)rotation-the same
waterpump is used on most ~1976-87 smallblock chevy.
Anything wrong with the waterpump pulley?problems
with the pulley are very rare,though i have found a few
originals that weren't manufactured the best-had some
runout(wobble)...If a new pulley is needed,check dealer
,salvage yards,ETC. lots of 1976 to early '85 cars/trucks
used the same pulley if an R4 A/C compressor is used-
A6 compressor uses different pulleys.

 

Since were talking about pulleys, I replaced my powersteering pump last year and they took the old pulley and put it on the remaned one. It is very wobbly, so could they have not installed it right? When I have the belts off im gonna spin it to see if it crooked or just wobbly.

Would I be able to get a pulley at any local parts store? part number would help.

Also how do I find out if its an r4 or a6

 

it is possible the power steering pulley was bent or
pressed back on wrong when the power steering pump
was replaced.The water pump pulley just bolts onto
the waterpump hub,so no pullers or special tools
needed-might be able to get a chrome taiwanese
replacement pulley at a parts store,but new original
style would be dealer item(if still avalible)
All stock thirdgens used the R4 A/C compressor.

 

Alright, so what are some cars I should look at when I go to the junk yard and how xan I tell if my pulley is even defective?

im starting the process to remove the belts now

 

vehicles that will have the same waterpump pulley
include,~1976 to early 85(mid 85 to 87has the
sepentine style alternator belt mixed with v-belt),
SBC powered chevy caprice,malibu,other chevy power
G-bods,pickups,etc,using the R4 compressor.Chances
are about 99%your pulley is good.