383 Water Pump/Timing Chain ? ? ?

Hello all,

I am looking into replacing the water pump and timing chain in my 1970 Chrysler Newport's 383-2V. I am interested in an OEM style recommendation (this is not a performance build). Though I am not against an upgrade if it improves reliability. I drive the car coast-to-coast at times. What are good sources for a water pump and timing chain?

Thank you!

If you are just replacing old parts with new then check out Rockauto. For timing chains Cloyes has made millions of them over the years, nothing special, but nothing wrong with them either, and dirt cheap.
I think Gates makes water pumps, they are a reliable brand.

Last time I used a parts store timing set (Cloyes) it got sloppy in a few thousand miles.

I now use Edelbrock timing sets (if available) even on something as basic as a grocery getter, quality matters to me.

As for water pump, I just bought a BB water pump last week, Gates brand. But I bought it to steal the impeller and use it on the water pump I am putting in my flathead 6. It looks OK, but looks aren't what matters. Others will have to chime in on this since the last one I bought and used was in 89 and that was an off the shelf made in USA pump by TRW.

For timing chains, I like Rollmaster and they've been bulletproof for me.
Water pump, I've had no problems with parts-store stuff, if the rest of the system is good.

Thanks guys.

I just checked on Rockauto. Will likely order from them. On the Edelbrock site, it shows two part numbers...One for 1-bolt and the other for a 3-bolt. Forgive my ignorance, but does it matter. Is one for OEm and the other a performance/aftermarket thing. To the best of my knowledge, the engine is original.

Thanks again!

Single bolt for stock cam. Stock cam has the bolt in the center of the cam and gear but hipo cams can have three bolts around the gear face.

Thanks Stumpy!

As far as I know, from the factory, only the 426 and 440 6bbls had three bolt cams. So unless someone swapped in a cam you should have the single bolt setup.

Sniper,

Thanks for the seconding on the bolt question.

If the timing set you're removing is actually the original, it may likely be the alum gear with nylon teeth. If it has some chunks missing, you may end up pulling oil pan for clean out. Just sayin'.

I second that. Big blocks aren't as hard on timing chains as small blocks, however, on a 50 year old engine chances are the timing chain has been changed. Won't know till you tear into it and once it's apart, replace it.

I would get a 3 keyway timing chain set & put it on the advanced keyway (no exp w Cloyes but alot of complaints on em) and a parts house pump will work fine

He specifically states he’s looking for OEM performance. Advancing the valve timing is a separate discussion.

Advancing the cam will work fine on this engine/easy to do/gains low end power, perfect for this app.

hi

edelbrock for the timing chain !

G M B waterpump 120-1200 ! e bay

Appreciate all the input.

I was aware of the nylon teeth used by them to keep things quieter. The engine runs like a top. Luckily, the timing is solid. The only reason that I am looking into changing the timing chain is because my fan clutch went. Considering how it likely put a strain on the water pump, I am replacing that. With 109K on the engine (which I believe hasn't been opened up, yet), it seemed like good preventative medicine to do the timing chain now. I will definitely yank the motor out and check the pan if I notice that its timing chain's nylon teeth has deteriorated/fallen apart.

Thanks again for all the suggestions/recommendations.

With only 109,000 miles, and as long as the timing is solid, I'd leave the timing chain alone. And as far as the faulty fan clutch putting strain on the water pump is concerned, I don't believe that's an issue of any significance. Cars have run for years without fan clutches without premature water pump failure. I've just seen too many times someone trying to fix what isn't broken....replacing good original parts with off-shore quality new parts that aren't near as good as the originals, and now all of a sudden they have issues.

Here's a pic from a low mileage 383, this is why to replace it now, they get old, they get brittle.

I've seen at least two ads for Edelbrock timing sets that say by Cloyes? I dunno if it's a mistake or true, but the Edelbrock seems to be a lot cheaper than any of the Cloyes I saw. Additionally I didn't see any single bolt sprocket Cloyes, all three bolt sprockets.

Not sure where you are looking but RockAuto lists three timing sets for the B/RB made by Cloyes. Both of the single bolt ones are cheaper than Edelbrock, one is under $25, and it is obvious that the Edelbrock single bolt set is not a Cloyes one. Cloyes uses a slot for the alignment pin whereas Edelbrock uses a hole.

The one Cloyes three bolt at RA is more expensive but it is also obvious that the Edelbrock one isn't a Cloyes either.

Here's where I found that:

https://pitstopusa.com/i-23912101-edelbrock-performer-link-by-cloyes-timing-chain.html

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edelbrock-7804-Performer-Link-By-Cloyes-Timing-Chain-Set/132589115

I've no idea whether it's true or not.

Interested because I'm about to do the same project on my low mileage '69.

Edelbrock shows this as their three bolt setup. and single bolt setup.

This is what CLOYES shows for the single bolt setup and the three bolt setups

Pretty sure PitstopUSA and Walmart are wrong.

Sniper,

I had not found the Cloyes info, but already had the Edelbrock. Thanks for the links.