how long does a stock chevy water pump last?

[78olds_ponce]

i have a 400sbc and it seems to be over heating has a new t-stat.the water pump is about 5-6years old.but i took it off the 350 that was in my car when i got it.

just wanting to knw if its time to replace it.let me knw what u think.

 

[RITTER]

Well typically when a water pump goes bad it will be the bearing inside or it'll leak from the weep hole. I would say since it is 6 years old it wouldn't hurt to replace it, and they aren't that expensive.

 

[DRIVEN]

Does it overheat while moving or just sitting still? Is there any visible corrosion when you look into the radiator neck?

 

[megaladon6]

what kind of coolant do you use, and how often has it been flushed?

 

[78olds_ponce]

at ts moment it has only water. the temp has been spiking up from 195 then just jump up,im readint the temp on a autozone gauge trio set. there is a little corosion on the radiator neck.

 

[megaladon6]

at ts moment it has only water.

how about normally? straight water is bad for the pump as it doesn't have corrosion inhibitors, allows electrical flow/galvanic corrosion, and lacks a lubricant for the water pump.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Megaladon6 beat me to it. I was about to say they'll last almost forever with the correct coolant changed every so often. Plain water is bad all around. Plus Chevy 400's are known for running hot anyway because of the siamesed bores. I allways felt Chevy wanted to copy the successful 400 format that Pontiac and the other BOP's had, but the small block was really pushed to the limit casting it for that big bore. That's why you usually find them in land yachts and station wagons.

 

[78olds_ponce]

i just installed a new stock 400 water pump.got a gallon of 50/50 coolant .it says to put it in the resivor and i did but it doesnt even fill the hole thing up.so theres no coolant even going in the radiator.what kind should i use?

 

[captain-FN]

you should completely flush the system just to be safe i've killed more motors that way lol

 

[78olds_ponce]

ok.well do u knw what kind of coolant i should use for it. ? what temp should it be at? when at idle/city driveing