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I typed the whole thing below, and then realized that you have a B230F, which probably uses a different waterpump than my B21FT. But here's my opinion anyway:
I replaced my original Volvo waterpump with a GMB unit a couple years ago, just when it started leaking out of the weep hole. I was not very impressed with apparent quality of the GMB unit compared to OE. I can't exactly remember everything I noticed, but the Volvo unit just seemed overall stonger and better built. The metal of the shaft felt less durable, the impeller was smaller and not as well designed, many of the casting lines had prominent flashing (not an issue really, just contributes to the appearance of cheapness), the weep holes were different, but I can't remember how.
I bought a HEPU waterpump the next week for less than I paid for the GMB. Had the water pump pulley fly off on the freeway after shearing through three of the bolts holding it on (and apparently the fourth vibrated out). Now that is a fun thing at 70mph. Bought the HEPU because I assumed that the GMB unit would be trashed, but it looked fine (a little scratched and dented) and was not and is still not leaking. I assume now that it was a bolt strength/torquing issue, though I am not sure.
When I compared the HEPU and the OE Volvo waterpumps I was hard pressed to find any differences beyond the Volvo and part number not being on the HEPU. The HEPU and Volvo units were both about the same weight and considerably heavier than the GMB unit. Impellers the same and so on and so on.
Still have the HEPU unit on the shelf, and will use it when the GMB gives up. I have no quantatative data, but I prefer the HEPU unit to the GMB and will be using HEPU or Volvo from here on out. But I can't complain about the GMB unit, its still doing its job just fine.
Ditched the clutch fan five years ago, so can't help you there. Glad I did too, I bet a flying clutch fan is worse than a flying water pump pulley.
Good luck
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Logan
1981 242GLTi 1967.5 122S Automatic (project)
Seattle, WA
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