All,

My water pump's gone out. At 130k miles, I might as well go ahead and reseal the front cover and do the timing chain and gear.

I've seen a variety of parts, packages, and prices for this stuff. Can someone who has dealt with these parts or repairs give me some recommendations on what I'll need and what brand/supplier I should go with?

For instance, at AB I see that there's a timing chain kit for $119 that includes the chain, gear, and gaskets necessary, but there are two water pumps, one of which seems to have a bronze impeller for $150, while the other option is just $79. Meanwhile, on eBay and the local places, water pumps w/ gaskets are running more in the $50 range.

Any advice for a do-it-yourselfer would be appreciated.

 

I bought the oil gear kit from ab for 119. it came with all the gaskets. sounds like the same deal but timing chain instead of oil. oil pump gear is also something to consider. best price I could find on a good timing chain was rimmer brothers (or an entire assembled front cover, for that matter) the airtex brass impeller water pump is preferred. I don't use it now, but got one at best price from amazon

 

Here is the amazon link Airtex Water Pump - w/ Gasket https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0047PXOMU..._Bc4Iub097SAXD

I was able to get one for $40 via Amazon Warehouse. It was a return that had nothing wrong with it.

You will need thread sealant for the bolts that go into the water jacket. I used Loctite PST thread sealant stick.

Make sure you get a O-ring for the oil pickup.

 

Airtek has 2 pumps a cheap one and espencive one. One is like $75 the other $150. "Yes one has a bronze impeller, but where does it say adding another metal (bronze) to the cooling sytem is a good thing? the nos impeller is not bronze.