FGF Advertisement Sponsor

Forums

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#162029 04/06/09 08:54 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 24
S
Member
Member
S Offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 24
Hello, are those aftermarket water pumps like the flowkooler worth the bucks or does the stocker work just as well?

Google AdSence Sponsor for FGF Forums
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 229
Member
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 229
I found my OEM water pump at O'Riellys and for 24.99 (4.00 of that was a core) it does what it says, and does it well. I think the aftermarkets look better, but OEM functions fine In my opinion

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,889
I
Senior Member
Senior Member
I Offline
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,889
The thing to consider with the stock pumps is the impeller. There are two types, cast and stamped. The better of the two is the cast. The best thing for overheating issues is to get the clearance between the impeller and divider plate as close as possible.

http://www.wallaceracing.com/water-pump-mods.php

I've done just about everything to get my convertible to run cooler. All but the side masticated fillers and divider clearance. For me that's one project on the books when it gets warmer.


Tom
'69 Firebird 400 4spd conv









Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 20,054
Administrator
*****
Administrator
*****
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 20,054
Originally Posted By stvshobrd
Hello, are those aftermarket water pumps like the flowkooler worth the bucks or does the stocker work just as well?

my stock worked great until it wore oput...I replaced it with a Flowkooler by recomendations from a friend who said he did it and had great results... I dont see any big improvement ,but on the other hand it runs just fine with it too....so...for whatever thats worth...

before mine wore out I DID do the trick shown by Wallacracing...it helped a little bit.


FireBjorn http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/closeup.mv?CarID=221
69 convertible 400 (was 350) Natalie, SOLD
58 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce , Gina,(SOLD)
1974 Alfa Romeo Spider, Mrs Robinson
2011 Volvo C30 T5 , Victoria ,.....( or Vicky)
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 20,054
Administrator
*****
Administrator
*****
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 20,054
Originally Posted By if6was9
The thing to consider with the stock pumps is the impeller. There are two types, cast and stamped. The better of the two is the cast. The best thing for overheating issues is to get the clearance between the impeller and divider plate as close as possible.

http://www.wallaceracing.com/water-pump-mods.php

I've done just about everything to get my convertible to run cooler. All but the side masticated fillers and divider clearance. For me that's one project on the books when it gets warmer.

installing one masticated filler ( I had one missing) did somewhere 3 and 5 F for me...


FireBjorn http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/closeup.mv?CarID=221
69 convertible 400 (was 350) Natalie, SOLD
58 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce , Gina,(SOLD)
1974 Alfa Romeo Spider, Mrs Robinson
2011 Volvo C30 T5 , Victoria ,.....( or Vicky)
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,615
B
Premium Member
*****
Premium Member
*****
B Offline
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,615
I use the flokooler on the left. It seems to help somewhat but, not a "cure all". The casting is thicker than the stock pump. You'll have to do a little grinding to fit the alternator bracket and clear the Power steering belt.



Here's what it looks like with the divider plate installed...


I'm a hobbyist. Not a professional. Don't be hatin'!

Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 24
S
Member
Member
S Offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 24
Thanks for all the input. I pulled my fan and shroud off to do a little cosmetic stuff on the front of the motor and found it took two hands to turn the pump. I don't know what happened to it the car ran great last summer and for winter starts. Maybe it's just time for a new one as the pump is probably 20yrs old.

Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 24
S
Member
Member
S Offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 24
I ordered a reconditioned pump today as they seem to be the only ones that have a cast iron impeller. It seems the new pumps all have the stamped metal impeller that everybody says to stay away from. Is that what you guys have found as well? The Wallace racing trick seems to have helped alot of people so I'll have to give that a try. I can't remember what mine looks like inside but does that trick apply to the 8 bolt pump as well?

Last edited by stvshobrd; 04/09/09 08:50 PM.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,719
Power Member
*****
Power Member
*****
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,719
Ames sells new 8 bolt water pumps with cast impellers. When I bought mine a year ago, they checked there entire stock and every one had the cast impeller.


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
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 169
D
Member
Member
D Offline
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 169
Could you use the Wallace trick with the flowcooler, and would that be even better???...


Moderated by  Geoff 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics35,534
Posts298,850
Members8,861
Most Online19,810
Feb 1st, 2026
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 2,714 guests, and 115 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
zinger223, MB13, Drevard, LarryK, boomstick08
8,861 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
Geoff 3
Gordy 1
LarryK 1
Top Posters
Bjorn Sefeldt 20,054
Fbody69 14,265
Yellowbird 11,905
68tpls400 10,337
salmon38 7,719
Firebob 7,495
Banshee 7,408
Gus68 6,758
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Photo Gallery
My latest 67 vert project rust bucket
My latest 67 vert project rust bucket
by Firebob, December 22
My weekend warrior
My weekend warrior
by Two67Firebirds, August 1
Cool dragster
Cool dragster
by Gus68, March 26
67 at Warbird show
67 at Warbird show
by Revvingup, December 31
With the old hood on.
With the old hood on.
by Firebob, July 29
Forum Search
NOTE: Search FGF Forums functions differently than the Search found at the top
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0