Heard noise from the front of the limited, opened the hood and saw the water pump pulley wobbling around. removed the old pump and set out to find a new one. By some odd circumstances I wound up ordering a Cardone from Amazon for $130 and a Gates from Rockauto for $75.00. They both arrived today. The Cardone has a stamped impeller and the one on the Gates is cast. The Cardone has a couple extra gussets on the casting but with 14 bolts I'm not sure how important that is. But the main difference is in the machined surfaces. The machining on the mating surface of the Gates looks much nicer than on the Cardone and the main difference is in the waterways. The surfaces are much smoother on the Gates. So unless somebody thinks the impellor difference is a big deal I'm installing the Gates.

 

I have a Cardone spare still in the box wrapped in plastic, haven't taken it out to examine it.
Thanks for the heads-up, maybe I won't use it, I'll probably get the Gates from the Rock.

 

If I needed one and had a Cardone sitting on the shelf I'd use it.

 

Jeff, thanks from bringing this up.
I have a similar dilemma.
Need a replacement pump- and don't know what to choose.

I have been looking on ebay for 3 brands:
- Bosch - Most expensive, but doesn't seem to come with seals
- ACDELCO - Name seems to be more established, not sure why
- SKF - Name seems to be more established, not sure why

Usually you pay for what you get- these brands are a bit more expensive than the others offered on ebay.

Don't want to hijack Jeff's post, but thought its relevant....
advice on quality / best buy is most welcome

Tx Tom

 

Strange thing is that the parts manual lists the part numbers to rebuild the one in the car now. Back in the day we used to do this regularly, new bearing and a carbon wear seal. I am sure that they are using better parts now.
Cheaper and easier to buy a rebuilt one I would guess.

 

I bought a Gates water pump from Rock auto; installed two years ago and working fine.