Fitting a new water pump and Timing cover -Shims??

[Grizz1963]

Well, I hope the title was understandable.

I have bought a sexy new water pump for the 350 motor.

I also bought a new chromed cast metal timing chain cover for it recently, to replace the pressed steel, rusted chrome one I removed. The new cover has been built in already.

Seems the new cover is too thick.

If you look at the photo below, you will see that with the one side pushed flush against the front of the block, the other end lifts away quite a bit from the block where the second waterway needs to meet it with a gasket.

I looked at the old pump and cover and there is a mark where the impeller cover plate at the rear pushed against the old chrome plated cover.

Note the light coming through.



SOOOOO....... MY QUESTION IS THIS:


If I had a pair of spacers or shims laser cut exactly like the gasket is patterned in 3mm mild steel or even stainless (not sure which is best option tbh) and then sandwiched it between two fibre gaskets, would this be a sensible and safe option?

I copied the gasket like this.



I am dropping the viscous fan and going with a pair of electric fans from a modern car on either a thermal switch or manual override, so the space lost toward the front should not be that critical.

All advice appreciated.

Thank you.

['63GENIII]

Merely an observation. I would think that if you move your pump out by 3 mm, which I guess is about a 1/4", that your water pump, alternator and crank pulleys will be out of alignment now. It may not be super critical or even a problem once its all back together. Belt wear may be accelerated though.

As far as the fans, I like the old stock fan set up with the fan clutch. I have yet to come across an electric fan that can reliably cool a Big Block for every day use.

[chevy2tom]

These work for my big block 190° on a summer day

[chevy2tom]

Drove it daily last year (spring to fall)

[DakotaKid]

If you shim out the Water pump, You will have to shim the Crank pulley and the Power steering/Alternator out the same amount to fit it. I cannot see the pics here at work, is it possible to Clearnce the Aluminum Cover to fit behind the Pump?

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by chevy2tom

Drove it daily last year (spring to fall)

Pretty clean set up there Tom. Ive tried the electrics several times. Towing in traffic is where I seem to have problems with them. The factory setup has just been way more reliable for me under the conditions that I encounter. I suppose if I wasn't towing and hauling, the electrics might work.

[Brad54]

Get a long water pump instead of the earlier short pump, and swap pulley and brackets to factory long water pump versions.

-Brad

[chevy2tom]

I might add that the water pump pulley is the high flow option which I'm sure helps

[jtrichard]

Originally Posted by Brad54

Get a long water pump instead of the earlier short pump, and swap pulley and brackets to factory long water pump versions.

-Brad

A BIG X2 OR go back to stock timing cover ... Or as said above your belts wont line up ..... NOW you could play around with some pulleys and maybe be able to use a thicker shim/spacer and make it all work

[DakotaKid]

I would bet those brackets aren't all that easy to come by over there.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by DakotaKid

If you shim out the Water pump, You will have to shim the Crank pulley and the Power steering/Alternator out the same amount to fit it. I cannot see the pics here at work, is it possible to Clearnce the Aluminum Cover to fit behind the Pump?

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

Merely an observation. I would think that if you move your pump out by 3 mm, which I guess is about a 1/4", that your water pump, alternator and crank pulleys will be out of alignment now. It may not be super critical or even a problem once its all back together. Belt wear may be accelerated though.

As far as the fans, I like the old stock fan set up with the fan clutch. I have yet to come across an electric fan that can reliably cool a Big Block for every day use.

Originally Posted by Brad54

Get a long water pump instead of the earlier short pump, and swap pulley and brackets to factory long water pump versions.

-Brad

Originally Posted by jtrichard

A BIG X2 OR go back to stock timing cover ... Or as said above your belts wont line up ..... NOW you could play around with some pulleys and maybe be able to use a thicker shim/spacer and make it all work

Originally Posted by DakotaKid

I would bet those brackets aren't all that easy to come by over there.

Thank you guys.

It seems the solution is easy enough....



Looks like the simple solution is to remove the thick cast cover and replace it with the old Pressed steel one or at least another pressed steel unit.


The pump I bought is exactly the same height/length as the one that was fitted before.

It's the sexy cast cover that is the problem.

PITA but it will be solved.

Thanks for the help, feedback and advice.