[Vwdiesel] Water Pumps, Who has Cast?

[William J Toensing]

As with many of the topics under discussion, I find the issue as to plastic vs. stamped steel vs. cast interesting. I suspect from the discussion that cast iron impeller pumps are superior & suspect other impellers were substituted to lower cost. I have an '81 Dasher diesel but haven't examined its water pump yet. However I have had good experience with www.autopartsworld.com & for curiosity, looked up the prices for diesel water pumps & they listed two, one for $36.79 & one for $43.21. I have no idea as to the type of impeller blades they have but their toll free number is (866)270-7730. How do these prices compare with other prices? I am interested in the best value & when parts are identical, the cheapest prices.