1963 Cadillac water pump cross

[Frank Murch]

My 63 has a major coolant leak.  It appears to be in the crossover that is right above the waterpump

Where can I get these gaskets and specifically the large plug gasket in the center?  I know I can use 2-3 O-Rings, but I would rather have an OEM or one "correct" O-Ring (Big fat sucker)

Any great sourcing ideas??

[Jason Edge]

Frank, I have only seen one size O-ring as I recall.. either original or aftermarket. Only difference is the ones that seem original seem hard as a rock. My questions would be: 
- Did you recently install the crossover pipe or did it just start leaking?
- If you have reinstalled it, did you follow the Shop manual instructions and push the O-ring into the bottom of the water pump cavity? If you instead pushed it up on the crossover pipe male nipple then installed it will almost be guarnteed to leak as it is designed to seat at the bottom with the nipple pressing into and sealing. 

Other than no installing correctly, the other main reason for leaking I have seen is badly corroded male nipples on bottom of the crossover pipe. It should be nice and smooth and not corroded. If corroded it will not seal. If that is the issue it is an easy fix.. cake some JB weld on it and round down smooth with medium/course sandpaper cupped in your hand then use smooth sandpaper for final sanding. You can eavy leave a bit thicker than the nipple was stock. 

I have installed 3 or 4 cross over pipes on my drivers over the years, and have always only used one aftermarket O-ring, and have never had them leak ... but I made sure the O-ring was installed correctly and the crossover pipe was not corroded.

[Frank Murch]

- Did you recently install the crossover pipe or did it just start leaking?

The car has been sitting sense preCOVID.  I pulled it out and started driving it and it developed a leak out of the left cross over seal.  The water pump was replaced, but it was maybe 2008.

- If you have reinstalled it, did you follow the Shop manual instructions and push the O-ring into the bottom of the water pump cavity? I do not remember exactly how I did it, but I think it has 2 O-Rings in it and is not leaking.

I will take it apart tomorrow and make the gaskets by hand. 

and have always only used one aftermarket O-ring, and have never had them leak

I remember having problems with it years ago. If there was a good seal that insures a leak free installation, that would be helpful.  I think I struggled with this back in 2008.

 

[Jason Edge]

That's a new one on me. I have never seen them leak where they mount to the cylinder head ... and never seen one leak at the water pump O ring but hear of them leaking during reinstall.  I would clean everything up, use new gaskets, install O-ring per shop manual (using 2 is fine, but again I've never used but one), and make sure that male nipple on the cross over pipe is in good smooth condition.

Here is a picture of a good, typicial male center nipple on cross-over pipe. If your has heavy pitting it should be build up with JB Weld.  I believe Russ has put a sleeve around it but I have built them back up with JB Weld.  (The JB weld is also great but building up pitted thermostat top housing covers that mount on the top side of the crossover pipe.)

 

[Frank Murch]

This is what was in there, but I do not have the O-ring to replace it with.  

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

Auto parts store will carry or can order the Fel Pro O ring.  Use 2. 

[Jason Edge]

I have them new for $2.50 each. They come with the front engine gasket kits but you may be able to buy them separately.