Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
NOS, New, Used and Reproduction Cadillac Parts & Accessories for 1961-1991
your new 472/500 Water pump won't clear the double belt setup
So, you just purchased a new pump advertised as fitting a 1968-1973 Cadillac 472/500. You go through the entire installation, and finally put on your belts only find out the inner most belt won't clear the new pump. What gives? Well, the simplest answer is you have a 1974-1976 pump designed for a single belt setup. But they advertised it as fitting 68-73?
Welcome to the world of Chinese manufacturing! For the most part, they don't truly care about accuracy, durability, longevity. They care about money. No real research into the item is involved, just find an original and duplicate it as cheaply as possible. As shown, there are differences in construction when it comes to casting, supports etc.
In the case of the Chinese made 472/500 water pump, this was simply a lack of research prior to tooling. They just got whatever pump they could and duped it, assuming all 68-73 and 74-76 pumps were structurally the same and flooded them into the market. BUT, they are different housing wise specifically concerning belt clearance, highlighted here.
The original 1968-1973 pump housing in this area is 24mm thick.
On the 1974-1976 casting for the pump housing, this area is 30mm. The difference between both is 6mm, which is just the amount needed for the inner most 2nd belt to have the required clearance.
The 68-73 version of the pump have actually been getting reproduced in the last year or so but the real riddle is : How can you know who's got the right one and who's just selling the 74-76 pump? And honestly, it's a sad game of trial and error. Buy from a supplier, measuring the lower portion for clearance and pray they are getting them from whatever manufacturer is producing the correct one.