Water Pump Technical Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rn2fine · 01-23-2004, 10:03 PM

Have a 72 Burb with 350. Bought block new from GM last year. Has Vortec heads and Vortec manifold. Put GM serpentine system on when recently assembled. Serpentine system including water pump based on 90-92 F-body. I wanted to put a water pump on the block that is compatible with the coolant recirculation outlet on the Vortec manifold. The problem I have is when I went to mount a Vortec compatible water pump onto the block it did not cover a third hole below the water pump bolts on the passenger side of the block (water just came gushing out). There is a third hole there that the previous pump covered, but the new pump does not. Does anyone know if there is a solution for this that would allow me to mount the new pump and cover the hole so coolant does not leak out. Hole is not threaded. Maybe a plate of some type?

cableguy0 · 01-23-2004, 11:24 PM

tap the hole and use a pipe plug to block it off. it wont leak anymore

jmanz69 · 01-24-2004, 12:20 AM

Was the block a truck block? maybe need a truck water pump. If the block was from a F-body car, it should have matched. Might go to Autozone and ask for a truck water pump and check for differences.

**kwmech** · 01-24-2004, 02:51 AM

I second threading the hole and putting a plug in it

FRENCHBLUE72 · 01-24-2004, 03:37 AM

Plug it..

Chevy Wrench · 01-24-2004, 06:38 AM

I dont think I would plug the hole. That coolant is "gushing out" for a reason. Go to your GM parts dealer and tell them your delema. Someone will be able to help you.

rn2fine · 01-24-2004, 04:12 PM

Thanks for the input guys. As it turns out the hole is a coolant bypass that recirculates water from the block back to the water pump during warm up. I plugged it. The water pump I am putting on the block has a water return nipple for the bypass line that comes out of the Vortec intake. So all is well. Used red loctite on the plug as it did not snug to a level that I was comfortable with without it.

01-23-2004, 10:03 PM	#1
rn2fine Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 157	Water Pump Technical Question Have a 72 Burb with 350. Bought block new from GM last year. Has Vortec heads and Vortec manifold. Put GM serpentine system on when recently assembled. Serpentine system including water pump based on 90-92 F-body. I wanted to put a water pump on the block that is compatible with the coolant recirculation outlet on the Vortec manifold. The problem I have is when I went to mount a Vortec compatible water pump onto the block it did not cover a third hole below the water pump bolts on the passenger side of the block (water just came gushing out). There is a third hole there that the previous pump covered, but the new pump does not. Does anyone know if there is a solution for this that would allow me to mount the new pump and cover the hole so coolant does not leak out. Hole is not threaded. Maybe a plate of some type? __________________ 72 C10 Burb 350 700R4 70 C20 LWB 350 Crate TH400 68 Chevelle

01-23-2004, 11:24 PM	#2
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	tap the hole and use a pipe plug to block it off. it wont leak anymore __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

01-24-2004, 03:37 AM	#5
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Plug it.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

01-24-2004, 06:38 AM	#6
Chevy Wrench former desert rat Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: salt lake city, utah Home of the 3 M's Mormons, methlabs and minivans Posts: 320	I dont think I would plug the hole. That coolant is "gushing out" for a reason. Go to your GM parts dealer and tell them your delema. Someone will be able to help you. __________________ 94 Chevy Silverado Ext cab 4/6 drop w/ 18's and 2500watt system (work truck). 67 Chevy swb under const. frame off custom, 20's, bagged and a large rat under the hood,and a 1940 Chevy truck under const.

01-24-2004, 04:12 PM	#7
rn2fine Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 157	Thanks Thanks for the input guys. As it turns out the hole is a coolant bypass that recirculates water from the block back to the water pump during warm up. I plugged it. The water pump I am putting on the block has a water return nipple for the bypass line that comes out of the Vortec intake. So all is well. Used red loctite on the plug as it did not snug to a level that I was comfortable with without it. __________________ 72 C10 Burb 350 700R4 70 C20 LWB 350 Crate TH400 68 Chevelle

01-24-2004, 12:20 AM	#3
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	Was the block a truck block? maybe need a truck water pump. If the block was from a F-body car, it should have matched. Might go to Autozone and ask for a truck water pump and check for differences.

01-24-2004, 02:51 AM	#4
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,679	I second threading the hole and putting a plug in it



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