Series 1 Water Pump, which is better?

[wjcollier07]

Simple question here.

GM/Delco has two different pumps listed, at two different prices (and just as vague as their line of OE style brakes).

We have...

Delco PN# 252-694 - GM PN# 88926208 - Referenced Pricing: RockAuto:$34.79, OEHQ:$35.85
I believe that's the subject pump in Matt's pump swap.
Delco Catalog Applications: 151 engines
3800 Applications
ALL - Vin L L27
ALL - Vin C LN3
ALL - Vin 3 LG3
92-95 Vin 1 L67


The contender...

Delco PN# 251-718 - GM PN# 89060462 - Reference Pricing: RockAuto:$85.99, OEHQ:$106.44
Delco Catalog Applications: 239 engines
3800 Applications:
ALL Vin C LN3
ALL Vin 1 L67
ALL Vin L L27
ALL Vin K L36
ALL Vin 4 L32
ALL Vin 2 L26

This part seems to be applicable for EVERYTHING, but costs over twice, to 3 times as much as the alternative, and is always lacking a picture, and any description that would set it above any other alternatives.

There is also the other low cost delco pump, the 252-693, which is called for on ALL Series 2 and Series 3 engines. I'm assuming this is the stamped pump, however, it is only $35.79 from RockAuto, just like its one digit different partner

Essentially...what I'm asking is...is the 251-718 a better pump than even the 252-694? Does anyone have access to Delco parts to possibly snap a picture of the 251-718 pump for reference purposes? More than one angle shot is difficult to find for any waterpump, and is nearly impossible to even find one for that specific P/N.

Beside any of that....I wanted to also make it common that Cardone Select water pumps have a 3 year, 36k warranty, and on rockauto, a 5513131 pump, the same as the Delco 252-694, is slightly cheaper as well, and since they provide a 3 angle photo, we know it's also stamped.

Not a huge deal, but sometimes when you pay more for delco parts, you get a different, better part...

[spoiledred94]

what looks too good to be true probably is. Except in this case. Go with the cheaper (Delco PN# 252-694 - GM PN# 88926208 - Referenced Pricing: RockAuto:$34.79, OEHQ:$35.85
) model. That is unless you get additional info. Cheaper doesn't mean lower quality.

[ChilinMichael]

I can feel your pain with water pumps...I've gone through so many it's entirely insane.

Let me ask you John, why are you just going for Delco? OEM sometimes shows better quality, but I'm just wondering your reasoning.
Also if I may add, after going through about 4-5 water pumps, I've found a Bosch that was listed for my car (Series II) at Pepboys that was cast impellers (the better style) and has been working perfectly for months with no noise...I kept going through the bearings on the water pumps. This Bosch has held longer than anything else and continues to do so and keeps the temps nice and low.

[1fatcat]

ChilinMichael, make sure you have the correct length belt. Too small of a belt will load the tensioner to a higher spring rate and in turn, will load the water pump bearings with more force. Seen this happen on a Grand Prix. 4 water pumps in about 8 months. Each one seemed to last about 2 months. Finally, we noticed the belt was not the correct belt for the car. It was too short, but fit on very well. Installed a 5th pump and the correct belt and all was good. The 5th pump held up fine with the correct belt.

[Peterg22000]

ChilinMichael, make sure you have the correct length belt. Too small of a belt will load the tensioner to a higher spring rate and in turn, will load the water pump bearings with more force. Seen this happen on a Grand Prix. 4 water pumps in about 8 months. Each one seemed to last about 2 months. Finally, we noticed the belt was not the correct belt for the car. It was too short, but fit on very well. Installed a 5th pump and the correct belt and all was good. The 5th pump held up fine with the correct belt.

I was thinking the samething, you don't have that many faliurs of the samething that close together without having to look elsewhere...

[J Wikoff]

I don't know which AC Delco I ordered from Rockauto, but I do know it didn't cost 80 some bucks, and it did come with the cast impeller.

[willwren]

The cheaper AC Delco pump from Rock Auto is the cast impeller unit, and is superior. It prevents cavitation in the upper rpm's, particularly nice if you use the S1 water pump on the higher-revving Series 2, which will work if you substitute the Series 1 water pump pulley also (did that to myfirstbonnie's 2k SSEi, and his water temps in the summer are consistently lower).