Doug1

Hey guys, I'm gonna do the electric water pump thing(next week at soonest) in my efforts to lighten car and take a little drag off motor. anyway, anyone know what size belt im gonna need to connect crankshaft pulley straight to alternator. its a 78 with a stock 350 small block engine.
thanks

Mike Ward

Weight savings is minimal and energy savings is zero. The alternator has to work harder to supply the electricity the pump uses, all 1-2 horsepower.

Save your money.

72LS1Vette

You would probably be better off putting in an electric fan rather than a waterpump. The fan will only kick on at higher temps while the electric water pump will run all of the time.

I happen to have both electric pump and fan because the engine I bought had the electric pump already installed. I have a higher output alternator on the LS1 so the losses may be less. Unless you are planning to put in a higher amperage alternator you probably won't feel any difference in performance and the weight difference might be negative with the electric motor.



Rick B.

Doug1

i got 2 electric fan for radiator. but i totally gutted ac system so i figured i'd be fine on juice.... thanks for replies

Mike Ward

Bigger alternators take more HP to run. No free lunch.

Doug1

summit says it weighs 6 pounds. what happened is i first ordered the aluminum water pump to save weight, but it is the shorty that my car needs. the one i originally ordered was like $65, the one that will actually fit is $270, i decided the weight reduction wasn't worth that much, so i figured a happy medium would be the electric water pump. i do want to do the wildwood aluminum calipers eventually, just didn't want to shell out all the money right now>
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRO-66225BK/

Doug1

maybe not in Canada, but here in America there seems to be many free lunches....but this belongs in the politics forum.

Doug1

if you guys really think my reasoning, lightening and less engine drag, isn't worth the money or is faulty(less engine drag), the wrong water pump just went out(sent from me to them) in mail today, so I have plenty of time to change the order and I saw a new aluminum one on craiglist for $100

BKarol

FWIW: an interesting read in Hot Rod Magazine, 1/12

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/h...ps_suck_power/

C3 Stroker

Despite all the physics on paper that people say prove that electric water pumps aren't worth the money, you will net more HP by using one vs. a mechanical.....or else racers wouldn't prefer them. But, as for your original question, it is almost impossible to get an alternator belt to fit with a small block unless you remove the power steering pump. The belt usually just rubs against the elect. pump. An undersize crank pulley will give you more room and may work.

Mike Ward

'Racers' actually use NO pump at all when the car is under it's own power. The pump is used only to circulate coolant before and after the run, usually from an external power source.

Any real 'racer' would know this.

C3 Stroker

What's the difference between a racer and a "real racer"? There are many "real racers" who race bone stock. The degree to which you modify your car doesn't determine your racing status. But they almost always search for that extra bit of horsepower.....and using an electric water pump has been proven on the track, and on the dyno to do so.

Doug1

oh... didn't know all that...hmmm? ok, thanks

Doug1

i just looked at it, since gutted the ac, i do have the middle pulley available which is abit more forward, i can move alternator same distance forward with some washers as shims, i think it will work. but i dont know how far forward the electric pump sits..?

C3 Stroker

The pump motor extends forward beyond where you can extend the alternator. The belt must go under it. Otherwise, you can remove the PS pump and put the alternator there, with the belt under the elect.pump.

See this pic and you'll understand....

texas jim

Good looking engine. How do you like that "quick fuel carb? A friend of mine drag races a Malibu w/ a SBC and swears by his Quick Fuel Carb. He runs an electric water pump off of the battery, but no alternator, just charges the battery the entire time the car is sitting. Runs great.

LongIsland C3

I have a electric water pump on my worked 355. However, I converted
to a serp system with dual electric fans and a high amp alternator.Seemed a bit neater to me.

Doug1

oh wow, thanks a lot guys for pics and info. gotta say I'm starting to get a little worried. stroker, your saying I may have to give up my power steering to get this whole thing to work? I had a truck when I was a kid that didn't have power steering, it kinda sucked, but I guess I did survive. ok, I guess thats an option and it will shed some more weight.
long island c3, I too have dual electric fans, maybe when you get a chance you can take another pic of that setup. Are you saying then that one belt runs power steering and alternator? would love to see that

Doug1

just looked at some pics, looks like if i wanna keep my power steering i gotta buy a different alternator bracket and it goes where the ac compressor was....

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MCH-22025/

I'm not ready to spend this much money($165) to just to have the electric pump, i'm close to terminating this project real quick!

vette427-sbc

How much $$ is the electric water pump you are looking at? I cant imagine its much less than the $270 short aluminum pump? There are plenty easier lbs to lose elsewhere.

FYI I just put the short style Edelbrock victor aluminum pump on my car to drop some lbs... If you have any timing cover other than a stock stamped steel one you might have issues fitting it... I run the Cloyes 2 piece cover and had to mill the backing plate to get it to clear.