Water Pump

[Tin Medic]

Started getting a loud noise from the front of the engine on start up that goes away after 30 seconds or so. I have some play if I jiggle the fan so I think the water pump is going. I removed the fan and pulley and the shaft coming out of the pump has play in it. What water pumps are recommended?

 

[Hedgehog]

Are there actually any bad water pumps? I don't believe I've ever had a bad one. Lately there appears to be high volume water pumps, but at the same time I've read that water needs time to absorb heat and take it away. Water isn't the same as oil, it's not the slippery stuff that needs to move.

 

[Rickster]

Had to replace my pump for noise. Went ultimately with the FlowKooler because of overheating issues. Pump housing is excellent, much better than the ? Chinese version* of the CJ water pump. It has helped (but not eliminated) my overheating issue.
*Tried the Chinese version first and had trouble getting the hose to fit properly, then the replacement pump started making noise after a 100 miles or so.

 

[Hedgehog]

Hmmmmm I hope the new pump I just got isn't Chinese, never really thought about it. Had trouble with my heater hose, but that was because the water pump side was for a 3/4" hose and the heater core is a 5/8", just the way AMC designed it to be. Why did they do that?

 

[Rickster]

The heater hose size really was not the problem. The nipple from the housing was not forged very well. It was larger at the takeoff from the housing and tapered toward the end. No ridge was present so the hose would try to slip off when you tightened the clamp. The FlowKooler housing and hose attachments are better made. I may have just had a bad unit as it started making a loud grinding noise after only 100 miles or so.

 

[Hedgehog]

thought so, but had to sorta ask.