Oil Leak and Noise at Water Pump Drive

[bRock]

I gotta put a couple of questions out there I'm scratching my head on.
First, I have an oil leak at the crank hub that I've "fixed" 3 times! I've just recently completed a 383 stroker build on my LT1, and used the old hub. It had gouges in it from wear; so after finding the leak, I resleeved it twice...used loctite and everything. I've read a couple of different things about this, including that the resleeving trick doesn't really work. So is it time for a new hub? Wanted to rule out everything else before I buy one. Of note, my oil pressure runs quite high after this new build (around 60 when warm and driving, maybe 40+ at idle)...if I don't let the motor warm up and rev the engine, it can hit 80. Didn't know if this might cause it to push oil out .

Second, a high pitched whistle from the water pump drive. I haven't found any mention of this problem anywhere. The thing is, I've reinstalled the water pump a couple of times (I'm getting tired of working on my car after I put it together lol!). Once because of a bad install of the water pump drive seal on the timing cover (BTW, the perfect tool to use is a yellow "sharpie" brand highlighter, I think that pen was meant to double as an install tool), second for this noise. When I got the pump off, found that the drive coupling was rubbing on the opti cap, which was causing the noise. Replaced opti, and even grinded a little groove on the new opti cap for extra clearance, even though it shouldn't need it. Put a few miles on it, and its doing it again! Anyone ever heard of this? The drive shafts seemed to be in good shape w/ little play.

Thanks for any advice!

[casey20000007]

Ok the oil pressure is normal for a 383 mine does 80-85 psi but I also have a mellings high vol oil pump, as far as the water pump noise it could be that coupler, may be wore out just enough to make noise, you should post a video of it making the noise


SMOKE TIRES NOT DRUGS

[RamAir95TA]

Who built the engine? Did they use a HV pump? Those pressures really aren't anything to worry but the added stress on the oil pump drive may not be a good thing. Sounds like old school SBC methodology.

With the hub and it leaking it's possible the added thickness of the sleeve is causing the front seal to compress slightly more than it is designed. I'd try a new hub and seal - no reason it should leak.

The water pump drive gear could be going bad (whistling usually means chopped-up gears). I wonder in what world would the opti cap ever hit the drive coupling. Very strange. I would suspect a stripped coupling and/or drive gear for sure.

[bRock]

Ok the oil pressure is normal for a 383 mine does 80-85 psi but I also have a mellings high vol oil pump, as far as the water pump noise it could be that coupler, may be wore out just enough to make noise, you should post a video of it making the noise


SMOKE TIRES NOT DRUGS

It would probably be hard to hear in a video; but I've taken the drive belt off and scoped it, it's the same noise as before when it was making contact. Btw, it's a new drive shaft, water pump, and coupling. I replaced them during the build.

[bRock]

Who built the engine? Did they use a HV pump? Those pressures really aren't anything to worry but the added stress on the oil pump drive may not be a good thing. Sounds like old school SBC methodology.

With the hub and it leaking it's possible the added thickness of the sleeve is causing the front seal to compress slightly more than it is designed. I'd try a new hub and seal - no reason it should leak.

The water pump drive gear could be going bad (whistling usually means chopped-up gears). I wonder in what world would the opti cap ever hit the drive coupling. Very strange. I would suspect a stripped coupling and/or drive gear for sure.

I used a melling (forget the part number) stock capacity pump, the one with the thicker neck. That has a pretty solid drive gear, as I recall, and the noise is definitely coming from the engine front. I'm thinking it's time for a new hub...that's the only other thing I can do. And the water pump, drive gear, and the coupling are all brand new, shouldn't be worn out. I'm wondering if it's the gear on the water pump that's getting sloppy?