GM Part :19168888 PUMP, Engine Coolant,PUMP,WATER(W/O COVER)(INCLUDES 24,26,39)(PUMP COVER IS 97228188)$186.59
GM Part No.: 97228188 COVER, Engine Coolant Pump $88.00
https://www.kennedydiesel.com/detail.cfm?ID=620
Like you said there are hundreds of post on this and you need to decide if you need to replace your housing.
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/63...sel-engines/7-duramax-first-generation-2001-2004-lb7/419373-lb7-water-pump.html
Some aftermarket pumps are really cheep because they have plastic impellers.
I'm sure you have seen these post that are less $60 for a pump.

 

Stick with an OE AC Delco water pump. We have them in stock ready to ship!

GM OEM Replacement Water Pump(LB7-LLY)

 

Regarding your WP housing, after uninstalling the unit, you will have to inspect the housing for cavitation that occurs near the pump output. I just replaced my water pump a fees ago and noticed that there was some cavitation. I did not replace the housing, but if you have extra money and want to replace it all, go for it. Your water pump should come with 2 large o rings and a couple extra o rings. I only used the large o rings because I did not remove the bypass pipe. The bypass pipe to the water pump housing does have an o ring that you may consider replacing. Make sure to put a little lithium on the large o ring from housing to water pump, and a little from bypass to housing when replacing.

Take off the serpentine belt and fan and remove the harmonic balancer. You may be able to remove the WP without having to remove the entire utility section of the engine.

 

FYI, some pumps don't come with seals or gaskets, so just a heads up on that.

Interesting, never seen a plastic impeller. :think:

 

Interesting, never seen a plastic impeller. :think:

There's so many threads on here and other sites. When you see a thread about what you paid for a water pump and there less than &100 that's the ones with the plastic impeller.

Google "duramax water pump with plastic impeller"

This is just one post
"I pulled the waterpump off my lbz to tig the impeller and gear only to find the impeller is plastic.......so I went to napa to buy a replacement only to find it had a plastic impeller as well!"

 

We offer a kit that has a new pump, new cover, gaskets/ seals and the tool you need to hold the flex plate in order remove the balancer (which has to come off to replace the water pump).
Water Pump Kit w/ Cover, LB7/LLY, 2001-2005 Duramax
We also offer a version with just the pump and gaskets and seals so you can pick and chose what you need based on you'r individual project.
Duramax Water Pump 01-05 LB7/LLY with Gaskets and O-rings

 

Go with the pump from MA, they weld the impeller to the shaft.

 

By the way the LBZ and up have a plastic impeller from the factory. There are no issues with those impellers spinning on the shaft because they don't weigh anything like the cast ones do. :thumb: