Author Topic: water pumps (Read 9520 times)

TIPPA · « **on:** July 18, 2005, 06:20:19 PM »

With my new radiator, i now will be replacing my small block's water pump and wondering if anyone could recommend a brand/type.
American Auto Parts sell the POWERMAX brand for around $75, and Repco sell GMB for around $220....
An original one from Ecklers is US$60.
Fair price difference ;ay Can GMB be 4times better?
For that kind of money are there performance/high flow ones available??
I know you get what you pay for, but i don't want to get ripped off either :22

TIPPA · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2005, 07:01:48 PM »

OK, a quick browse thru Eckler's web site and they have water pumps ranging from US$59 standard units to US$270 highflow polished ones.
I think the cast high flow for US$89 may be the go.

VET-005 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2005, 08:05:45 AM »

Unless your engine is worked a standard one will do the job fine. Its only when you have a motor which is getting reved really hard and RACED that you will need a high flow water pump.

TIPPA · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2005, 09:44:50 AM »

Yes i'm still debating over that VO.
Rocket and American Autos both say only advantage of an alloy pump over cast iron is weight (but seriously how much...) and looks. The Edelbrock is a high flow but brings the price up from $60 to $300. Not worth it IMHO.
But Ecklers say especially with C3s that their high flow cast one (41% increase flow and 40 degrees F reduction in temp depending on thermostat i assume) can't be a bad thing and for US$89 isn't a huge amount more$. And if i do work the engine it will be more benefitial then i guess.
Thanks for your opinions too VO. :}

GAS.455 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2005, 11:57:12 PM »

Wouldn't Auto pro or what ever have a water pump for a Chev engine???
After all how many Chevs are there in Australia???

Just a thought...I may be wrong......

77CVT · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2005, 10:45:23 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by GAS.455
Wouldn't Auto pro or what ever have a water pump for a Chev engine???
After all how many Chevs are there in Australia???

That's what I thought.

Vette Obsessed · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2005, 10:47:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by 77CVT
Quote
Originally posted by GAS.455
Wouldn't Auto pro or what ever have a water pump for a Chev engine???
After all how many Chevs are there in Australia???

That's what I thought.

VET-005 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2005, 12:37:24 PM »

you can get the water pumps here for the old 350' but hard to get for the models that run a cerpentine belt as they are different and run in reverse precession.

77CVT · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2005, 12:38:26 PM »

Didn't think of that.

TIPPA · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2005, 12:56:08 PM »

For sure. Mine of course is the old style short nose pump, very common as we know, but there is such a huge difference in prices. Basically a cast iron std one is $60- $70 from most places except repco who want $220 :ado
I believe a good cooling system is important on a C3 so a high flow pump can't be all bad. The cheapest i could find here was a $300 Edelbrock which isn't worth it to me, but ordered another high flow one with a matching high flow thermostat yesterday from Ecklers for US$89 minus our club 20% off- so not a great deal more than a std one in the end.
My car usually sits at 200F stable, except at freeway speeds where it climbs to around 210F. I'm assuming due to constantly higher revs (3,700 or so with its 3sp auto). The high flow pump will only deliver more coolant flow when the thermostat is asking for it- fully open, so may help when i hit the highway on a cruise next. Like i said, for only a little more $it can't be a bad thing. I'll let you all know if its worth it when i take her out again.
Cheers for your input gents!:22

TIPPA · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2005, 07:58:16 PM »

Got my "stewart" high flow water pump and thermostat today;)
Been too busy servicing Shayne's Mazda MX6 (and i thought performance chev parts were dear... Mazda parts are nothing short of a rip-off) and getting a mate's 351 cleveland powered truck up and running (gimme a chev ANY DAY) to check out my vette's brakes yet but hope to have her back on the road late next week providing i don't have to send the calipers off for re-reconditioning ;39
Kinda miss having the beast there ready to turn the key for a qik blat. Don't know how you fellas in the middle of restoring your vettes cope!;-)

Cameron 77C3 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 26, 2005, 08:12:45 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by TIPPA
............... Don't know how you fellas in the middle of restoring your vettes cope!;-)

Who says we do.