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Whats a good water pump?

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Old May 13, 2023 | 07:10 PM
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From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Whats a good water pump?

Or is OE the way to go. Mine is barely 8yrs old and its leaking. Thought is should've lasted longer. Least i believe its the pump.
Is the weep hole obscured by the pulley? I can see the leak trickling out from behind the pulley.
Could it be the gaskets? Is there a good aftermarket water pump? OE is what i have currently.
Its an LS3 if that matters. Thanks in advance.
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Old May 13, 2023 | 07:26 PM
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From: The ******* of Texas
Car: '89 Firebird Formula
Engine: TBI 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt, 3.42s, Torsen diff.
Re: Whats a good water pump?

OE style is just fine. Buy a new Delco water pump and call it a day.

Yes, weep hole is obscured by the pulley on most engines these days.
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Old May 13, 2023 | 10:40 PM
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Re: Whats a good water pump?

FYI cheap alum water pumps don't like RPM, ask me how I know.
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Old May 13, 2023 | 10:50 PM
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84 1LE's Avatar
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From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Whats a good water pump?

Thanks for the input, but yeah, i dont want a cheapy unit. Considering the GM one only lasted 8 years, seems kinda short life for these.
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Old May 14, 2023 | 12:03 AM
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From: Franklin, KY near Beech Bend Raceway, Corvette Plant and Museum.
Car: 1992 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 5.0L L03 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: Whats a good water pump?

How often did you flush and refill your coolant?
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Old May 14, 2023 | 12:28 AM
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84 1LE's Avatar
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From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Whats a good water pump?

Mostly use straight distilled water w/ a little water wetter. Never really flushed the system unless i was swapping hoses or radiator.
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Old May 16, 2023 | 09:32 AM
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Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: Whats a good water pump?

I second using a GM unit.
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Old May 16, 2023 | 11:20 AM
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From: Louisville, KY
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: Whats a good water pump?

I've always bought AC Delco or Weiand, good results out of both, just make sure you get the rotation direction right. 8 years doesn't sound like a bad service life, especially when you factor in the limited use/prolonged sitting of a vehicle that isn't a daily.
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Old May 16, 2023 | 08:56 PM
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84 1LE's Avatar
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From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Whats a good water pump?

Forgot about that, not driving it much. In fact i started driving it again daily, cause my truck gave up the ghost back in feburary. So that probably killed it, right?
Ive pretty much decided to go with a delco, summit has the lowest price on it too.

Last edited by 84 1LE; May 17, 2023 at 10:14 AM.
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Old May 17, 2023 | 06:01 AM
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From: Louisville, KY
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: Whats a good water pump?

If I had to guess I’d say sitting played a role, sucks about your truck though!
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Old May 17, 2023 | 10:19 AM
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From: Oyth
Car: 89RS vert
Engine: Erod
Transmission: 4L65e
Axle/Gears: BW, 3.27
Re: Whats a good water pump?

That'll teach me not to drive it so often. Wish i could replace the truck as easy as the pump.
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