I have not been able to solve my lack of heat issue since I bought my 301 powered '78 over the winter. I pulled the core support and flushed it and played with thermostats. It seemed like I had air trapped between my heater hoses that I couldn't burp out. Luke-warm air at temp is the best I could muster.
I've been reading some Pontiac engine builds and something jumped out at me: the diverter plate between the timing cover and water pump. I pulled my water pump for inspection today and sure enough, there is no diverter plate installed!
I was able to pull the old rotted inserts and install a new pair. My pump looks like its in great shape and has the preferred cast impeller. I used a mallet and decreased the gap between the diverter plate and my impeller to .050" and hope to get it all back together in the morning.
No questions here, just thought I'd share my experience and provide some information for those new to Pontiacs like myself.
I've been reading some Pontiac engine builds and something jumped out at me: the diverter plate between the timing cover and water pump. I pulled my water pump for inspection today and sure enough, there is no diverter plate installed!
I was able to pull the old rotted inserts and install a new pair. My pump looks like its in great shape and has the preferred cast impeller. I used a mallet and decreased the gap between the diverter plate and my impeller to .050" and hope to get it all back together in the morning.
No questions here, just thought I'd share my experience and provide some information for those new to Pontiacs like myself.
