Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Rich72C10** · 04-07-2021, 09:06 PM

So got a new ACDelco Professional water pump and there are two holes I need to cap off, I have the brass plugs but what is the best/proper way to seal them from leaking?

A ton of Teflon tape?
Pipe dope?

Thanks - I don't want leaks!

<searched for the answer, guess I am stupid and the only that doesn't know>

**Stocker** · 04-07-2021, 09:36 PM

I use teflon pipe compound, then wrap a couple layers of teflon tape over the compound. No leaks.

**Rich72C10** · 04-07-2021, 09:42 PM

Hmm teflon tape compound ... going to look that up. That I don’t have.

**Stocker** · 04-07-2021, 09:49 PM

Teflon pipe compound is just pipe dope made with teflon. Any hardware store will have it and teflon tape in the plumbing section.

**Steeveedee** · 04-07-2021, 10:02 PM

Any good sealant will do the trick; you don't need anything special. I've used #1 and #2 Permatex, blue and black RTV, Indian Head shellac, whatever I had on hand. If it were mine, though, I'd use plugs with a 3/8" square drive or hex that is inset. Don't need that big ugly head sticking out...

**Rich72C10** · 04-07-2021, 10:03 PM

Orileys didnt have any innies :-(

**jocko** · 04-07-2021, 10:11 PM

I've always used just teflon tape and nothing else - never leaked. Amazon will have 3/8 drive pipe plugs to your door in 24 hrs, it's worth the wait (I agree w/Steveedee's note on the plugs)

**Rich72C10** · 04-07-2021, 11:47 PM

You guys are killing me.... ordered for both holes - Brass Pipe Fitting, Hex Drive Countersunk Plug. One is 1/4 and the other is 3/8.

I think I'll do a good wrap with Teflon Tape - I have tons of that stuff laying around.

**kwmech** · 04-08-2021, 01:14 AM

Snug them up but do not over tighten them, you can crack the pump housing when using teflon as a lubricant

Warrens69GMC · 04-08-2021, 01:32 AM

Don't care if they come out again? Black or Blue silicone ...

**Rich72C10** · 04-10-2021, 05:34 PM

The Right Stuff Black sealed with innie plugs, primed and painted! Time to dry, then install!

**Rich72C10** · 04-11-2021, 11:08 AM

Installed - so far no leaks and no more squeaks!

04-07-2021, 09:42 PM	#3
Rich72C10 Mr. Cheyenne Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Kyle, Texas Posts: 1,644	Re: Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? Hmm teflon tape compound ... going to look that up. That I don’t have. __________________ Richard *'72 Chevy C10 Cheyenne Super WHT/MED BRONZE/WHT SBC 350 \| TH350 \| LWB \| AC \| Buddy Seats Upgrades:** Tilt \| Front Sway Bar \| Radio \| Sliding Window \| Bed Spare w/Lock Bed Rails \| Full LEDs \| Courtesy Lights \| Tachometer \| Glovebox Lock & Light \| Head Light Relays \| *Upgraded Fully Super Trim

04-07-2021, 09:49 PM	#4
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,547	Re: Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? Teflon pipe compound is just pipe dope made with teflon. Any hardware store will have it and teflon tape in the plumbing section. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

04-07-2021, 10:02 PM	#5
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,211	Re: Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? Any good sealant will do the trick; you don't need anything special. I've used #1 and #2 Permatex, blue and black RTV, Indian Head shellac, whatever I had on hand. If it were mine, though, I'd use plugs with a 3/8" square drive or hex that is inset. Don't need that big ugly head sticking out... __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

04-07-2021, 10:03 PM	#6
Rich72C10 Mr. Cheyenne Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Kyle, Texas Posts: 1,644	Re: Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? Orileys didnt have any innies :-( __________________ Richard *'72 Chevy C10 Cheyenne Super WHT/MED BRONZE/WHT SBC 350 \| TH350 \| LWB \| AC \| Buddy Seats Upgrades:** Tilt \| Front Sway Bar \| Radio \| Sliding Window \| Bed Spare w/Lock Bed Rails \| Full LEDs \| Courtesy Lights \| Tachometer \| Glovebox Lock & Light \| Head Light Relays \| *Upgraded Fully Super Trim

04-07-2021, 10:11 PM	#7
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,937	Re: Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? I've always used just teflon tape and nothing else - never leaked. Amazon will have 3/8 drive pipe plugs to your door in 24 hrs, it's worth the wait (I agree w/Steveedee's note on the plugs)

04-07-2021, 09:06 PM	#1
Rich72C10 Mr. Cheyenne Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Kyle, Texas Posts: 1,644	Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? So got a new ACDelco Professional water pump and there are two holes I need to cap off, I have the brass plugs but what is the best/proper way to seal them from leaking? A ton of Teflon tape? Pipe dope? Thanks - I don't want leaks! <searched for the answer, guess I am stupid and the only that doesn't know> Attached Images __________________ Richard *'72 Chevy C10 Cheyenne Super WHT/MED BRONZE/WHT SBC 350 \| TH350 \| LWB \| AC \| Buddy Seats Upgrades:** Tilt \| Front Sway Bar \| Radio \| Sliding Window \| Bed Spare w/Lock Bed Rails \| Full LEDs \| Courtesy Lights \| Tachometer \| Glovebox Lock & Light \| Head Light Relays \| *Upgraded Fully Super Trim

04-07-2021, 09:36 PM	#2
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,547	Re: Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? I use teflon pipe compound, then wrap a couple layers of teflon tape over the compound. No leaks. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

04-07-2021, 11:47 PM	#8
Rich72C10 Mr. Cheyenne Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Kyle, Texas Posts: 1,644	Re: Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? You guys are killing me.... ordered for both holes - Brass Pipe Fitting, Hex Drive Countersunk Plug. One is 1/4 and the other is 3/8. I think I'll do a good wrap with Teflon Tape - I have tons of that stuff laying around. __________________ Richard *'72 Chevy C10 Cheyenne Super WHT/MED BRONZE/WHT SBC 350 \| TH350 \| LWB \| AC \| Buddy Seats Upgrades:** Tilt \| Front Sway Bar \| Radio \| Sliding Window \| Bed Spare w/Lock Bed Rails \| Full LEDs \| Courtesy Lights \| Tachometer \| Glovebox Lock & Light \| Head Light Relays \| *Upgraded Fully Super Trim

04-08-2021, 01:14 AM	#9
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,426	Re: Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? Snug them up but do not over tighten them, you can crack the pump housing when using teflon as a lubricant

04-08-2021, 01:32 AM	#10
Warrens69GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Safford,AZ Posts: 3,613	Re: Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? Don't care if they come out again? Black or Blue silicone ...

04-10-2021, 05:34 PM	#11
Rich72C10 Mr. Cheyenne Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Kyle, Texas Posts: 1,644	Re: Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? The Right Stuff Black sealed with innie plugs, primed and painted! Time to dry, then install! Attached Images __________________ Richard *'72 Chevy C10 Cheyenne Super WHT/MED BRONZE/WHT SBC 350 \| TH350 \| LWB \| AC \| Buddy Seats Upgrades:** Tilt \| Front Sway Bar \| Radio \| Sliding Window \| Bed Spare w/Lock Bed Rails \| Full LEDs \| Courtesy Lights \| Tachometer \| Glovebox Lock & Light \| Head Light Relays \| *Upgraded Fully Super Trim

04-11-2021, 11:08 AM	#12
Rich72C10 Mr. Cheyenne Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Kyle, Texas Posts: 1,644	Re: Water Pump Plugs - Best Way to Seal Them? Installed - so far no leaks and no more squeaks! Attached Images __________________ Richard *'72 Chevy C10 Cheyenne Super WHT/MED BRONZE/WHT SBC 350 \| TH350 \| LWB \| AC \| Buddy Seats Upgrades:** Tilt \| Front Sway Bar \| Radio \| Sliding Window \| Bed Spare w/Lock Bed Rails \| Full LEDs \| Courtesy Lights \| Tachometer \| Glovebox Lock & Light \| Head Light Relays \| *Upgraded Fully Super Trim



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