WTB water pump for 1962 Cadillac 390

J

JR Rotramel

I have seen rebuild kits for sale and have a Cadillac shop manual.
After reading that, I don't think I want to rebuild it myself.
I have seen a couple water pumps online but was hoping to find one that doesn't cost me $350 if at all possible.
 
I had my local auto parts store (not one of the discount national chains) send the one off my '67 out for rebuilding last year, I had it back in about a week, and it cost me less than a hundred bucks.
 
to rebuild or not to rebuild

I have had the water pump on my 61 Cadillac 390 rebuilt. A local auto parts store sent it off. 11 days later and $125 and my pump was as good as new. There were new pumps on ebay for $289 plus a core charge. What with some vendors charging twice as much for a core as for the pump it seemed like the best way to fix a bad pump was send it in for a rebuild. The parts house I used was KOI. Kentucky Ohio Indiana parts. The local store has been in business since 1923 before becoming affiliated with KOI. NAPA may also be a chain that could send a pump to a rebuilder for you. These late comers to the party...O'Reilly's, AutoZone and others don't seem to have the connections or the desire sometimes to take on this kind of service.
Mike
 
I use to be the Bill of Material Manager for a huge Ford Authorized re-manufacturer.

Here is the list of parts for a water pump:

Casting
Impeller
Pulley hub
Bearing
Gasket

Box
Label


If your casting, pulley hub and impeller are good... the only two new parts are the bearing and gasket.

Sandblasting and a press are the only things required to rebuild the water pump. Know how and experience make a big difference too.


Most auto repair shops & auto parts stores can have them sent out for rebuilding.


Water pumps have the shortest Bill of Materials of all reman parts.

Things like brake shoes and disc pads have a longer parts list.


Engines have a very long list !


I was involved in that industry for 17 years and loved it. Loved some of the people and I help many, many people with older or obsolete parts often.

If they called and happened to get me or were transferred to me, they got what they wanted.
If they got the other guys/girls, they got told, Sorry, can't do it, not in the catalog or obsolete item.


I was a proud Car Guy, they were just doing a job.
Too bad some people don't care about what they do.


Good luck on the water pump JR,
Darren
 
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