LT1 Water pump drain tube: how do i do it + what parts will i need?
09-13-2010, 10:01 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
LT1 Water pump drain tube: how do i do it + what parts will i need?
I'm in the process of removing my water pump from my 94 vette and I would like to install a drainage tube on it to direct any coolant away from the Optispark. so i need to know what parts do i need and your opinions on how best to accomplish this task.
thanks boonie
thanks boonie
09-13-2010, 11:15 AM
#3
Race Director
Yep thats the trick but I went everywhere looking for something small enough without success !
They say necessity is the mother of invention so after putting a silicone bead of snot all around my OPTI and installing it with new seal I bought a plastic vacuum 90 degree elbow some vacuum line and stuck the tight fitting elbow into the weep hole and cemented it in with liquid steel !
Since you shouldn't expect the water pump seal to fail for a few years it's not a big thing but an ounce of prevention you know,
Make sure your tube hangs down in front of the x member so it can't get in your belt !
They say necessity is the mother of invention so after putting a silicone bead of snot all around my OPTI and installing it with new seal I bought a plastic vacuum 90 degree elbow some vacuum line and stuck the tight fitting elbow into the weep hole and cemented it in with liquid steel !
Since you shouldn't expect the water pump seal to fail for a few years it's not a big thing but an ounce of prevention you know,
Make sure your tube hangs down in front of the x member so it can't get in your belt !
09-14-2010, 11:50 AM
#4
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I don't know for sure, but I've been told the windshield washer nozzle off a 1979-80 Mazda B-2000 pickup truck's an exact, no-mod fit.
10-05-2010, 01:01 PM
#6
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WP drain
10-05-2010, 01:40 PM
#7
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They say necessity is the mother of invention so after putting a silicone bead of snot all around my OPTI...
I swapped my WP out last Saturday. The previous owner sealed my Opti with a silicone bead, too.
I believe it helped prevent it from tanking from coolant being spilled onto it. I've read it only takes a thimbleful of coolant or water to permanently damage the optical portion of these early, un-vented style distributors.
If the WP shaft becomes dislodged (as in my case) coolant can still seep out from the front of the pump, too. There's no way to contain leakage from that area.
I swapped my WP out last Saturday. The previous owner sealed my Opti with a silicone bead, too.
I believe it helped prevent it from tanking from coolant being spilled onto it. I've read it only takes a thimbleful of coolant or water to permanently damage the optical portion of these early, un-vented style distributors.
If the WP shaft becomes dislodged (as in my case) coolant can still seep out from the front of the pump, too. There's no way to contain leakage from that area.
12-10-2010, 09:01 PM
#8
Racer
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As much as channeling the weep hole is done/recommended one would think one of the supporting vendors would sell a kit that fit perfectly. I've not seen any though.
Steve
Steve
10-12-2012, 01:33 PM
#9
Create a weep hole drain hose for the LT1 water pump
This is how I created a drain hose for the water pump on my 92 LT1.
I first measured the weep hole in the bottom of the water pump.
I determined a 3/16" barb to 3/16" barb brass connector from Home Depot would fit in the hole if I decreased the diameter.
I chucked the connector up to the center stop in my high speed drill and laid it across a flat file. Spinning the connector against the file, I decreased the diameter of the barbs until they were just slightly larger than the weep hole size. I froze the connector, put a little sealant on the barb closest to the center, and used a small hammer to drive the connector up to it's center point. Put a hose on it and routed behind the Optispark wires.
Now when the water pump blows out, it will blow out to the ground and not all over the optispark.
I first measured the weep hole in the bottom of the water pump.
I determined a 3/16" barb to 3/16" barb brass connector from Home Depot would fit in the hole if I decreased the diameter.
I chucked the connector up to the center stop in my high speed drill and laid it across a flat file. Spinning the connector against the file, I decreased the diameter of the barbs until they were just slightly larger than the weep hole size. I froze the connector, put a little sealant on the barb closest to the center, and used a small hammer to drive the connector up to it's center point. Put a hose on it and routed behind the Optispark wires.
Now when the water pump blows out, it will blow out to the ground and not all over the optispark.
Last edited by mixalive; 01-13-2014 at 12:44 PM.
02-22-2013, 07:23 PM
#12
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This is MUCH Better way than drilling and tapping for a 1/8" pipe fitting as the casting are not exact and you can drill into the main body if you are not VERY careful. If you drill into the main body, you need a new pump to start over........
02-23-2013, 09:29 AM
#14
Race Director
I hate to sound like a salesman for electric water pumps, but if you are worried about coolant dripping on the opti, put in a Meziere electric water pump. It does away with the weep hole dripping on the opti problem, and removes the shaft coming through the timing cover where an oil leak can occur. It gives you better flow at idle which is great for summer time operations. Remember, when your OEM pump starts to leak there is a problem with a seal which is not good for the bearing and the water pump is about to fail.
02-24-2013, 12:36 AM
#17
Le Mans Master
went wit the drill and tap method
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Last edited by higgyburners; 02-24-2013 at 12:46 AM.
02-24-2013, 07:57 PM
#18
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I hate to sound like a salesman for electric water pumps, but if you are worried about coolant dripping on the opti, put in a Meziere electric water pump. It does away with the weep hole dripping on the opti problem, and removes the shaft coming through the timing cover where an oil leak can occur. It gives you better flow at idle which is great for summer time operations. Remember, when your OEM pump starts to leak there is a problem with a seal which is not good for the bearing and the water pump is about to fail.
great for autocross and drag racing, but it didn't move enough water for road racing.
