42 years young?

Started messing around with the 1977 camper van 360 I bought to get my project on the road. The intention is to build another motor for future use, so I just wanted something to get it going. Supposedly a low milage sweet running non smoker. I didn't hear it run, but the po did, and said it ran nice. Pulled the crank pullies and then the water pump expecting to find the usual rusty disintegration but was surprised to find this.

Could this be factory and this well maintained? The paint says yes, but I'm not sure. I'm never this lucky. I'm kinda wishing I would have left it alone, but I wasn't about to run a 42 year old water pump.

I don't see why It couldn't be original.

Cool. I guess I'm just used to rusty broken water pump bolts and exhaust studs. None of which has happened. Knocking on wood, big time.

RustyRatRod said:

I don't see why It couldn't be original.

Click to expand...

Remember that if this came from a camper van it may like most had few miles and not a lot of exposure to winter weathers. Not a lot of corrosion. I’d pull the heads and tear it down a bit regardless.
A new double roller timing change set. Fresh gaskets and new freeze plugs and in this case water pump is cheap insurance to a long life.

Quick!- run out and buy a lottery ticket, it is your lucky day!