Big Block Water Pump Leak?

Hello Moparters..

I'm new to Mopars, so I apologize in advance if I am asking a dumb question...

I have a 440 motor in a Coronet and when the car was sitting for a week recently I noticed a small amount of coolant on the ground. I looked from underneath and could see a tiny stream that had leaked down the lower outlet shaft of the Water Pump housing (and then down on to the lower hose). I could not see above that lower outlet shaft on the pump to see the real source of the leak.

The really strange part is that once I started it up and had it running, the leak stopped. I am pretty certain it will come back though. Seems to just happen when it sits..

Does this sound like it is the Water Pump that is bad (maybe leaking from the weep hole?). Or could it be the actual housing itself that could be leaking? Anyway to determine this?

Also, where are the weep holes on these pumps? Can the Pump be changed while leaving the Water Pump housing on the motor?

Mucho thanks for any feedback.

--Stan

Sounds like its from the weep hole. The weep hole is on the lower part of the pumps snout. The pulley commonly covers it up. The pump can be changed without pulling the housing.

Stan welcome aboard. There are no dumb questions only unasked ones. sounds like a weep hole which is on the underside of the impeller assy which comes out by itself(4 bolts) & the wp housing doesn't need to be touched.

Hey Thanks for the quick replies. Much appreciated.

I guess I should have included a digital picture of this (seems to be the standard way of doing business nowadays).

In this pic (shot from below) - the wet area above the lower radiator hose -- I guess this must be leading up to the weep hole then?

As for taking out the pump -- the general steps seem to be: loosen up the alternator bracket and remove the belt, pull the fan and fan clutch assembly, pully and then the four water pump bolts? Or am I missing anything there?

Thanks again. The help is much appreciated in getting started.

--Stan

Exact thing happened to my wagon(Daily Driver). I went on Vacation for 2 weeks and came back,noticed the pump leaking just like youve described. Topped off the radiator,drove it home and it hasnt leaked since!!

I can hear the pump groaning and growling sometimes though. Id say it needs to be replaced,before it leaves me high and dry someday>

B/RB water pump very simple to change. Loosen alternator, remove belts, remove 4 fan bolts, remove 4 pump bolts, rap pump off housing, cleans housing surface, install new gasket and pump in reverse proceedure.

What about draining the coolant,isnt that necessary?

Drain it 1st. Replace with fresh coolant.

Great info. Thanks a bunch guys!

One last question -- this fan has a fan clutch assembly... How do those things come off (and go on)? This is the first time I've encountered this option.

Much thanks for the help!

--Stan

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What about draining the coolant,isnt that necessary?

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hell it will self drain if you don't.