Water Pump Replacement

[RWWinslow]

Replaced the water pump this weekend. Intermittant anti-freeze leak was from the O-ring seal. Here is the question for the group. . . .

Purchased the replacement water pump from an authorized Cummins dealer / repair facility based on my Cummins engine serial # - the pump was a Cummins remanufactured pump and fit perfectly (paid $155). The replacement pump housing and the original pump housing were both manufactured by the same company in England and featured identical parts numbers on the castings. Howevere, the remanufactured pump used an impeller that was a different configuration than the pump removed from the truck. . . .note that the removed pump was the original water pump. The replacement pump featured a shrouded impeller, whereas the original impeller used an open impeller. The replacement impeller also featured a heavier pulley. While researching the pump, the Cummins dealer noted that the water pump had been upgraded for the "B" series engine. Test driving around town did not show any increases in operating temperature, etc.

Has anyone else noted this difference?

A couple of other comments. . . . also replaced the belt tensioner and belt at the same time.

The belt tensioner was purchased from Checker (for approximately $65) and is made by Dayco in the USA - it is a much better part than the part supplied by Dodge 8 years ago. I had replaced the tensioner 8 years ago and could only find the part at Dodge at that time.

After replacing the water pump, tensioner and belt, the engine is much quieter - belt, bearing, and pump noise is gone. The old tensioner pulley bearings were noisy when spun by hand and and the old water pump was exhibiting a very slight rub when spun by hand - probably the shaft seal and/or beaings were in their last days also.