Water Pump Conundrum

[A Ross]

Last week disaster nearly struck - the alternator pivot bolt lost its locking nut and the bolt worked its way out of the pivot making the auxiliary / fan belt really loose. Whilst fixing that issue I span the water pump by hand (in correct direction of travel) to feel the bearings to see if they are the cause of the bearing noise I hear at idle and I can confirm with reasonable certainty that they are.

So with a new cambelt and tensioner about to be fitted, I have decided to replace the water pump and fan belt too. - Here's the conundrum:

My Beta is a 1600 so the short stroke engine, but I see there are two different water pumps listed for Beta's - the standard replacement part for all engines and the one that seems to be specifically for the VX and the Montecarlo - the only difference as far as I can tell on the part for the VX/Monty has a deeper impeller.

What I would like to know before I order a new water pump is would the deeper impeller'd part fit my 1600 as when reading other posts the shallower impeller on the standard unit although fits, does not work so efficiently enough on the VX / Montecarlo and I wonder if my 1600 would benefit from greater efficiency from this part or whether it simply won't fit at all?

Many thanks


Alex

 

[peteracs]

Hi Alex

If your radiator and pipe work are ok, then I can confirm the standard pump will be sufficient. Others will confirm, but you can fit either is my understanding.

Peter

[A Ross]

Thanks Peter,

I'll order the standard part - when I drove it back, there was no problem with it overheating even in the heavy traffic I encountered.


Alex

[peteracs]

Hi

Make sure you do a good flush of the system both ways and use a goodly amount of antifreeze, not for the weather, but to keep corrosion down.

Peter