Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Water pump question. Hardened, non hardened......wat?

[The patriot]

OK, I'm on the computer plotting my next can of worms to open.
I'm seeing 5.9 B water pumps in what's called "hardened" and "non hardened" offerings.
What does this mean?
Mwilson, Games etc.?
Anybody know what they're referring to?

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

That's weird. Where are you looking? I didn't see anything like that when I bought a pump recently.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

OK, it's the pulley that is hardened or not. Still don't know why.

 

[mwilson]

I don't know why either. We have never made any sense out of it. Some 5.9 engines will call for the hardened and some will call for the soft. I am referring to the entire spectrum of "B" engines.

Must have something to do with the belt drive system planned for each particular CPL.

The safe way to do it is by engine serial number to be sure.

 

[The patriot]

Well, I found through Cummins's site, mine takes a hardened one.