Water Pump Recommendations
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 138
From: Northern California
Water Pump Recommendations
I need a new water pump. The choices vary from cheap Oreilly specials (+/- $50) I have no confidence in to mid-grade (+/- $150) with poor reviews to Edelbrock (+/- $350) which I have the utmost confidence in but it comes at a price. Any recommendations or thoughts to consider?
I’d prefer aluminum but would probably settle for a good cast iron if the quality is good. Not sure if high volume is necessary but wouldn’t refuse it; never had overheating issues.
Thanks!
I’d prefer aluminum but would probably settle for a good cast iron if the quality is good. Not sure if high volume is necessary but wouldn’t refuse it; never had overheating issues.
Thanks!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,545
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From: San Jose, CA
High-volume isn’t necessarily necessary, but high volume usually includes higher efficiency as well.
High-volume does have advantages, but if you never had an issue, that wouldn’t necessarily be worth the extra expense.
I’m a huge fan of the FlowKooler brand pumps, but apparently I haven’t been checking the prices lately because it sounds like everything‘s gone up a lot. Just like every other thing.
But that would be my recommendation anyway. Good efficient impeller design and proven performance over many years.
Even though they started out life as a cheap “kit” for improving your pump, they’ve come a long way.
High-volume does have advantages, but if you never had an issue, that wouldn’t necessarily be worth the extra expense.
I’m a huge fan of the FlowKooler brand pumps, but apparently I haven’t been checking the prices lately because it sounds like everything‘s gone up a lot. Just like every other thing.
But that would be my recommendation anyway. Good efficient impeller design and proven performance over many years.
Even though they started out life as a cheap “kit” for improving your pump, they’ve come a long way.
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 138
From: Northern California
Thanks for the recommendation. I will wait for a few others to chime in to see if there are any other suggestions but this is at the top of the list.
I’m not necessarily looking for high volume but if it’s part of an otherwise great product then I’m not going to turn it down. I don’t think I need it. My mine is modestly built. But having capacity to further develop is nice. And it’s not that far out of the price range from standard volume.
I’m not necessarily looking for high volume but if it’s part of an otherwise great product then I’m not going to turn it down. I don’t think I need it. My mine is modestly built. But having capacity to further develop is nice. And it’s not that far out of the price range from standard volume.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,165
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From: Near Los Angeles
I bought a new AutoZone w.pump when I built my engine. I tried to find one with the cast impellers, but could not, so I went with the AZ stamped steel impeller. It lasted 10+ years. When I removed it, the impeller looked new. AZ also gave me a new pump for free due to life time warranty. Just saying.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
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I have a bunch of ranch rigs I keep running and I have to say I've had great luck with the new manufacture Orielley's water pumps. we only have 2 parts stores in the county so my options are limited, but some are 10 years old and so far no issues.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,545
Likes: 1,156
From: San Jose, CA
I noticed that back in the 70s when you bought a water pump it was hit or miss with some being cast-iron still and others being aluminum for the same application.
My first replacement water pump for my 71 came from Kragen in a GMB box and it was aluminum.
Worked great for a few years but the bearing finally went out so that’s when I got the FlowKooler.
Oddly enough it was a FlowKooler impeller in aGMB body!
Those early ones had an occasional problem though. They worked great, but on some you had to put a second gasket to space it out because their impeller had rivet heads on it that would scrape the inside of the timing cover when installed on a Windsor.
Didn’t need to do it on mine, but I had a couple friends and several customers that had that issue with theirs.
Second gasket was not that big of a deal and did fix the problem.
But it really shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
My first replacement water pump for my 71 came from Kragen in a GMB box and it was aluminum.
Worked great for a few years but the bearing finally went out so that’s when I got the FlowKooler.
Oddly enough it was a FlowKooler impeller in aGMB body!
Those early ones had an occasional problem though. They worked great, but on some you had to put a second gasket to space it out because their impeller had rivet heads on it that would scrape the inside of the timing cover when installed on a Windsor.
Didn’t need to do it on mine, but I had a couple friends and several customers that had that issue with theirs.
Second gasket was not that big of a deal and did fix the problem.
But it really shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: East Central Ia
If it's not a daily driver there are some places doing rebuilds on your core. Seems to be a big thing with the Mustang date code matching crowd. You can find them in Hemmings. If it is a daily driver get a cheapy and send in your core to a rebuilder. Just a thought.
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2009
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I was pulling my hair out dealing with cheap water pumps on my FE. It took three tries before I gave up and just spent the money on the Edelbrock. I haven't had an issue or looked back since and that was over 18 months ago.
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Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 138
From: Northern California
I bought a new AutoZone w.pump when I built my engine. I tried to find one with the cast impellers, but could not, so I went with the AZ stamped steel impeller. It lasted 10+ years. When I removed it, the impeller looked new. AZ also gave me a new pump for free due to life time warranty. Just saying.
It was an experience with one of their lifetime warrantees (water pump lasted 6mos) that drove me away; they conveniently couldn’t find me in their system. I had a series of issues with the quality of their parts prior to this and I just had enough.
Anymore though, I try to use a local independent store or online. Occasionally visiting a NAPA or maybe AZ.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,826
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Keep in mind water pumps are like most of the parts we buy, do the math, how many FE or 335 series water pumps do they sell a year ? not enough to tool up for. so you can buy from wherever you want and most of the time you get the same part in a different box.
And if a high dollar pump like Edelbrock uses the same imported seal and bearing as the imported pump, and it probably does, all you bought was a nice housing. it's just not economically feasible to build parts like they used to . that's why if it really matters I buy as much NOS parts off ebay as possible.
And if a high dollar pump like Edelbrock uses the same imported seal and bearing as the imported pump, and it probably does, all you bought was a nice housing. it's just not economically feasible to build parts like they used to . that's why if it really matters I buy as much NOS parts off ebay as possible.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
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What parts did they use to rebuild it ? I'd like to know if any of them have a bearing better than the other. if they don't it's all purely cosmetic differences.
But I do like the original housing idea that's nice.
But I do like the original housing idea that's nice.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,826
Likes: 2,339
I looked at the kit and it's hard to say, sure has the generic import bearing look. they don't say what brand of bearing or where it's made so you can kind of connect the dots. I really doubt there is more than one company making these bearings anymore, I wish I knew.
But chinese bearing or not putting one in an original housing beats all the other options.
But chinese bearing or not putting one in an original housing beats all the other options.