Are the water pumps still available with the cast impeller? Any ideas who has them? The local parts stores here can only get the type with the metal impeller....
I ordered one from Ames and had the person on the phone go back into the warehouse to confirm it had the cast impeller.
I heard rumors from either the PY or Classical Pontiac boards that you can go to NAPA and roll the dice. My next door neighbor is the sale manager for the only NAPA in town and he got one in as a favor. It had a stamped impeller so I went to Ames.
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
I ended up getting a rebuilt pump for the cast impeller. Ordered 4 and saw a number of different impellers. I found the one I wanted. It even had an aluminum housing. I pounded the plate out and ended up with about .030" at the innermost part. ('69 type cover)
Forgive my for asking but how much difference/advantage etc. does the type of impeller have? Stronger I am guessing? Or do they move more water/flow better???
I have to think the cast impeller will flow more water. I had tried the plate trick with a stamped impeller, and that didn't have as much impact on summer running temperature as the cast impeller. From the ones I selected from, there were at least two different cast impellers too. So even they are not all created equal.
Kind of a no-brainer when you put it like that....
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
I use the non-cast pump on the left. The cowl on the impellor blades accomplishes the same thing as the "divider plate" trick. Its been working quite well for about a year...
I don't see how the 6 blade cast impellor would move more water that the 8 blade welded.
I'm a hobbyist. Not a professional. Don't be hatin'!
Now thats a thought. So do you still use the o.e. plate even with the modification? If not, what holds the sleeves (in the timing cover) in place? Wait...that is the 8 bolt pump.
Napa was able to bring in a remanufactured unit for me and it had the cast impeller! Also the correct date code and casting number as a coincedence! I have heard people who try the stamped 11 bolt have problems... I'll stick with the original design!
Just from a similar experience with a different auto maker, the 6 blade will move more water at higher speeds due to it's ability to more completely fill the impeller area.
I wonder if there is a 6 blade with a plate like the one on the left out there? I would think it would be as good or better due o a thinner wall profile.
But maybe I am thinking the speeds are higher than they truely are in these cars. Does slowing the water pump speed help?
Dave
New to me '68 Conv. 350. 2 Speed. Red on Black.
455 on the stand getting ready to bolt up to a TH400.
Bronze, you know which aftermarket WP I use on the new 428 HO M3 engine. No divider plates or other parts and measurements to worry about. All is well after 12 months and 5K.
'68 428 HO M3 Monster, 4-on-the-floor! Need I say more?
There is a relationship as you want to give the coolant enough time to be cooled in the rad as if gets pulled through too fast it doesn't have the time to let off the heat. becomes a problem when running a aluminum rad as it is more efficient and typically you have to draw the co0lant through it faster!
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