Water Pump --- What's the difference?

[Allmand]

Hello,
I hear the bearing going out on the water pump in the engine. It is an old 1960's Chevrolet 250 c.i. inline 6 cylinder.

My question is, will the water pump from you local AutoZone be the same as the one in my marine inline 6? Is there a different pump for marine applications? The pulley system looks the same, only difference from the inline 6 in a car is the water system (thermostat housing, elbow, manifold, riser).

Any help is appreciated....

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Water Pump --- What's the difference?

Yes the pumps are different. Chances are the cheap car pump will have a cheesy stamped steel impeller (that will rust out in no time) as opposed to the iron impeller in the marine pump. Marine pumps also use stainless steel shafts.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Water Pump --- What's the difference?

Yes an Autozone pump will work, but as said above it is not the right part and it's life will be short. Marine (actually called a circulation pump to differentiate from the true water pump that pumps raw water) pumps are made from different materials with the thought of surviving harsh water conditions. Some have housings cast of bronze, all have SS shafts and bearings that will last much longer. Most have either SS or cast iron impellers. Most Marine circ pump impellers are also a slightly different design due to different flow patterns of marine engines.