Hi,

I have been chasing an overheating problem in this thread:
https://firstgenfirebird.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=23;t=000983

and I have addressed a number of potential problem areas. One that I would like to address is the water pump pulley.
The one on my car (67 400 with PS & AC) is actually slightly larger than the crankshaft pulley.

Here are the specifics about my current pulley:

2 groove pulley that is 8" in diameter and 2" deep from front to back. Hole spacing is 2-1/8"

I would like to find a pulley that has the same spacing but a smaller diameter.

If you can help, please let me know!

Thank you!

Hi Randy, thanks for the updated info!

Yes, check with Jusride from Nevada, he's got 4 pulley's right now, going for his 5th to find the right one, and he's measured them all and knows them well! Give him a shout, and the dimentions you need, and I'm sure he'll have one that will work for you!

That should help... then make sure the plates and the tubes are in good shape inside the housing as you mentioned... and make sure there is little to no air in the system (try the two small holes on either side of the T-Stat trick to let the air escape) Then after that it may just be a fan issue? I have a flex fan myself, but a friend has a 68 350 H.O. and had a HD clutch fan, and hot running temps, went to the stock (for the 350 H.O.) 4 blade fixed fan, and all is good!? Could be that simple...

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

I'm the water pump pulley king! I know more about water pump pulley's then anyone should ever know! Just kidding. Sixstarved sent me a link to a site that had all the part numbers, pulley diameters, and bolt hole diameters for all 1st Gen Firebirds scanned from the original factory shop manual. It even had pictures to point out the different pulley arrangements with numbers for different pulley combinations. It was VERY helpful. The link is:
http://1968firebird.org/illustrated/pullybelt/pullybelt1.html

Jusride - thanks for that link! It explains a lot.

The pulley I have is correct for a car that just has PS, but mine has PS and AC.

I need a #40 P/N 9788886 which is supposed to be 5-11/16" diameter.

The one I have is a #5 P/N 9786819 and is 8". :|

That would partially explain the potential to run on the warm side.

Do you know where I can get this pulley or any other 2 groove pulley that would be smaller than 8" ????

Other potential P/N and Diameter is:
9787909 - 7-1/8"


Thanks!

Get a hold of FirebirdBill (Bill Edmunds) at: EarlyBrds@aol.com he might have the pulley you are looking for. Another option is watch eBay. I've seen a lot of Pontiac pulley's in there. There are a lot of parts that are listed for "GTO's" but they will work on the Firebird's. Just make sure all the dimensions add up. The sellers list them that way because they can list them for a higher price. I bought a "1968 GTO power steering pump assembly" from a guy that sells Pontiac parts and come to find out it really came off a '68 Firebird. Also, don't ask the seller if it is a 5-11/16" diameter pulley. Ask instead, what the diameter, depth, and bolt circle, etc. of the pulley is. Sometimes they will tell you what you want to hear. Hope that helps.