At 10:05 PM 2/27/2002, Matthias Kuster wrote:
>got off  the web: My block has seen some grinding. Towards the right (facing
>engine) there was almost 1/8" that was missing on the rounded, snailhouse
>type top/ right part, plus some more traces all around- some old water pump
>pulley's hoof prints from way back before my time with this van. There was
>still a small lip left. It looked as if it could've been machined. My bad.
>
>  Could it likely be that my problem was only a lack of pressure due to the
>damaged mating surface at the water pump?. I haven't figured out how to

I really doubt it.  If you look at that lip, it simply blocks off a dead
area and prevents water from running in circles around the outside of the
pump cavity.  The place where the deepest loss happens is already in a
low-pressure area.  Unquestionably it makes a difference, but I really
don't think that a minor loss makes a noticeable difference.  Mine has been
running that way for about 140,000 miles now with no overheating problems.

david

--
David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"