Water pump problem

[Quantum]

I am having a problem with the water pump on my 420A. There is a thrust washer that is pressed into the back side of the water pump pulley that keeps coming loose. This is causing the timing belt to rub the oil pump. This is the second one that I have installed within the past 3000 miles. This engine is heavily modified and I am aware of the cause of the problem. My question is: is anyone aware of a performance water pump that has a solid pulley instead of the two piece design? I have looked everywhere and cant seem to find one. These cars are getting older and many dealerships don't carry that many parts for them any more, so I can't go and inspect one before buying it. Just curious if anybody knows of a performance pump. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[92AWDHX40]

I never heard of a perfomance water pump, seems like there is another issue, there.

 

[LiquidX]

I never heard of a perfomance water pump, seems like there is another issue, there.

I agree.

Closest you would get to a "performance" pump would just convert to an electric pump.

What brand of pump are you using?

 

[Alan11]

Water Pumps - CI Motorsports

Same as the ones in Oreilly, Auto zone, OEM.

I also have never seen a performance water pump.

 

[Quantum]

The problem is the Gates performance timing belt. It is a very stiff belt, unlike the stock belt that is very pliable. The crank sprocket has a thrust washer that is part of the casting. The idea behind this is to allow the belt to move a little while accelerating and decelerating while keeping the belt inline with the pulleys. The belt is so hard that it is putting additional stress on the water pump and knocking that thrust washer loose. This is also an aftermarket pump from Oreilly. I can't remember if the OE pump was a one piece or a two piece.

 

[LiquidX]

Doesn't sound like it's your water pump that's the issue. Nor should having a non stretching belt cause that issue either. How tight do you put your belts at?

 

[92AWDHX40]

aftermarket from oreily you mean close to oem, not peformance right? Maybe get a oem belt from th
dealer but even then ive used both from dealer and advanced auto, i found no difference, after 15 years of using different belts. Oem two piece or once piece im confused do they make two piece pumps?

 

[Quantum]

The timing belt has a hydraulic tensioner and as far as the drive belts go, I tighten them just enough to where they don't squeal. I have run into this one other time on a 420A and was able to replace the pump and all was good after that. This one is different.

The pump itself is not a two piece pump, rather the pulley has two pieces. They are not designed to come apart. The rear of the pulley is a thrust washer that is pressed into the actual pulley that the timing belt rides on. I am thinking that i will just press the water pump shaft out of the water pump, press that washer back in and weld it in place.

I wish that I had it off that way I could take a picture and post it, but I will not be able to remove it for about a week.