Electric Water Pump 1981 C3
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 25
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From: Virginia
Electric Water Pump 1981 C3
Hey, I really want to replace my factory original, (yup that old) water pump on my 1981 C3 with a modern electric water pump. No real reason other than just to do it. Anyone here done this on the small block and have suggestions and brand preferences? I want to be able to retain having a heater in the car and I don't see that as a clear option on all the water pumps out there so any suggestions would be appreciated. If this is a crazy idea I wouldn't mind hearing that either. Thanks all and have a wonderful Turkey day!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
There are some electric pumps that are considered to be "street", but personally I just don't see the need to go electric.
For a track only car, an electric pump gives you the ability to run the pump between rounds to cool down the motor.
On a streetcar, there really isn't any major benefit that I can think of, other than Im sure it free's up some degree of horsepower.
So to put one in, you are going to have to do some wiring, and possibly re-route accessory belts. To me it just doesn't seem worth it in a street car.
For a track only car, an electric pump gives you the ability to run the pump between rounds to cool down the motor.
On a streetcar, there really isn't any major benefit that I can think of, other than Im sure it free's up some degree of horsepower.
So to put one in, you are going to have to do some wiring, and possibly re-route accessory belts. To me it just doesn't seem worth it in a street car.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
There is no benefit for a street car..any power gain is lost in additional load on alternator to power the pump..and not reliable for long term use.. don t waste your money ... just my opinion
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
Mean Time Between Failures on electric water pumps is poor compared to a mechanical pump. If you only race the car or drive in town, it may not be a big deal. If you like to take road trips, what are you gonna do if your electric water pump craps out in the middle of nowhere?
Not a gamble I'm prepared to take-
Just my .02
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 733
From: Youngstown Ohio
Hey, I really want to replace my factory original, (yup that old) water pump on my 1981 C3 with a modern electric water pump. No real reason other than just to do it. Anyone here done this on the small block and have suggestions and brand preferences? I want to be able to retain having a heater in the car and I don't see that as a clear option on all the water pumps out there so any suggestions would be appreciated. If this is a crazy idea I wouldn't mind hearing that either. Thanks all and have a wonderful Turkey day!
You will have to get a smaller alternator belt, and you will have about ½" belt to pump body clearance. Also, install the elect. pump relay with it. Despite naysayers, I know quite a few folks running electric water pumps on the street with no reliability problems. Yes, they are all hi-perf cars which may not be driven as much as some, but they have been in use for several years now. What happens when your mechanical pump craps out in the middle of nowhere?.....just as much a gamble....
Last edited by C3 Stroker; Nov 22, 2016 at 04:28 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 268
From: iowa city iowa
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C3 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I think you go to NAPA and get another one.
I had to modify my water pump on my LS1 to fit into my car and have worried about that very thing. If it craps out, I can't just get another one and stick it in. But I don't really have much choice.
I had to modify my water pump on my LS1 to fit into my car and have worried about that very thing. If it craps out, I can't just get another one and stick it in. But I don't really have much choice.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
My car is away being worked on at the moment, so I don't have pics.........but yes, it can be done. I'll be using an identical set-up I saw on a '70 small block C3. It is a Meziere sbc pump with heater hose fitting. (You have to buy the adapter separately, it screws on, you can retain your heater). The Meziere , though costly, was the most highly recommended. This one..... https://www.summitracing.com/parts/MEZ-WP301SP/
You will have to get a smaller alternator belt, and you will have about ½" belt to pump body clearance. Also, install the elect. pump relay with it. Despite naysayers, I know quite a few folks running electric water pumps on the street with no reliability problems. Yes, they are all hi-perf cars which may not be driven as much as some, but they have been in use for several years now. What happens when your mechanical pump craps out in the middle of nowhere?.....just as much a gamble....
You will have to get a smaller alternator belt, and you will have about ½" belt to pump body clearance. Also, install the elect. pump relay with it. Despite naysayers, I know quite a few folks running electric water pumps on the street with no reliability problems. Yes, they are all hi-perf cars which may not be driven as much as some, but they have been in use for several years now. What happens when your mechanical pump craps out in the middle of nowhere?.....just as much a gamble....
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,320
Likes: 8,124
From: Napa Valley California
I've run cam driven water pumps on my big block race boats for years. If one goes out it only takes about ten minutes and an alan wrench to swap out the impeller and I'm back on the water. The housing stays in place and you never need to remove or replace it.
What can go bad on an electric water pump, and how hard would it be to replace the part to get you back on the road???
As always, I recommend doing as much research as possible and see what is going to work best for you.
What can go bad on an electric water pump, and how hard would it be to replace the part to get you back on the road???
As always, I recommend doing as much research as possible and see what is going to work best for you.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
A couple of years ago, I broke a belt on a desolate stretch of road. AAA couldn't tow me from the area, and I had to phone-a-friend to get me a new belt, and come rescue me.
The BBC belt configuration runs a belt from crank-waterpump-power steering, and another power steering-alternator. There is supposed to be a crank-waterpump belt, but I never had that one. I suppose that belt is the "plan-B" in the event of a belt loss.
If I had an electric pump, I could have made it home.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
I wanted to weigh in on this thread again, and C3 Stroker really nails it.
A couple of years ago, I broke a belt on a desolate stretch of road. AAA couldn't tow me from the area, and I had to phone-a-friend to get me a new belt, and come rescue me.
The BBC belt configuration runs a belt from crank-waterpump-power steering, and another power steering-alternator. There is supposed to be a crank-waterpump belt, but I never had that one. I suppose that belt is the "plan-B" in the event of a belt loss.
If I had an electric pump, I could have made it home.
A couple of years ago, I broke a belt on a desolate stretch of road. AAA couldn't tow me from the area, and I had to phone-a-friend to get me a new belt, and come rescue me.
The BBC belt configuration runs a belt from crank-waterpump-power steering, and another power steering-alternator. There is supposed to be a crank-waterpump belt, but I never had that one. I suppose that belt is the "plan-B" in the event of a belt loss.
If I had an electric pump, I could have made it home.
We are talking water pumps here, not fan belts?
Regardless, a fan belt can be obtained at virtually any parts store along with a mechanical water pump.
The point is your fancy electric pump is unobtainium in the middle of nowhere and the electric motor is what usually gives out first.
You still were able to get out of trouble fairly easily by phoning a friend to bring you a belt- Do you think your friend could have obtained an electric pump to your rescue in the same amount of time?
Unless you carry a spare pump with you, I personally wouldn't venture far from home.
Again, to each their own but for a critical component like a water pump, I prefer to stick with what works- Even if it's boring and low tech. If electric water pumps were more reliable than mechanical ones, you'd see OEMs using them all over the place. Until we reach that point, I'll stick with my old technology.
Your mileage may vary.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
I wanted to weigh in on this thread again, and C3 Stroker really nails it.
A couple of years ago, I broke a belt on a desolate stretch of road. AAA couldn't tow me from the area, and I had to phone-a-friend to get me a new belt, and come rescue me.
The BBC belt configuration runs a belt from crank-waterpump-power steering, and another power steering-alternator. There is supposed to be a crank-waterpump belt, but I never had that one. I suppose that belt is the "plan-B" in the event of a belt loss.
If I had an electric pump, I could have made it home.
A couple of years ago, I broke a belt on a desolate stretch of road. AAA couldn't tow me from the area, and I had to phone-a-friend to get me a new belt, and come rescue me.
The BBC belt configuration runs a belt from crank-waterpump-power steering, and another power steering-alternator. There is supposed to be a crank-waterpump belt, but I never had that one. I suppose that belt is the "plan-B" in the event of a belt loss.
If I had an electric pump, I could have made it home.
Last edited by fishslayer143; Nov 23, 2016 at 04:09 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 733
From: Youngstown Ohio
I ve seen mechanical pumps last 275,000 miles.. think your electric can do that ? If I m in Florida and my pump fails, it will just leak...not stop turning ...AND AUTOZONE has one in stock... but, Your car, do as you like.. I would not even consider it.. just no upside, unless you just think its " cool looking"
I just wanted to give the OP some info and an answer to his thread. He will decide if it works for him.
Last edited by C3 Stroker; Nov 23, 2016 at 05:31 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
For your type of use and driving, by all means keep your mechanical pump. An electric water pump is a hi-perf. item on an engine, typically used on a limited use race/street-strip option. You know, like a 600 hp engine. I don't expect such a motor to last 275,000 miles of street driving, much less a water pump. The present electric WP's last an estimated 3000-5000 hours of use, depending on brand. At that rate with my driving habits, that's about 15 years of reliability.....I can live with that. For long road trips and longevity, I use my Monte Carlo.
I just wanted to give the OP some info and an answer to his thread. He will decide if it works for him.
I just wanted to give the OP some info and an answer to his thread. He will decide if it works for him.
Last edited by fishslayer143; Nov 23, 2016 at 06:50 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
??
We are talking water pumps here, not fan belts?
Regardless, a fan belt can be obtained at virtually any parts store along with a mechanical water pump.
...
You still were able to get out of trouble fairly easily by phoning a friend to bring you a belt- Do you think your friend could have obtained an electric pump to your rescue in the same amount of time?
Unless you carry a spare pump with you, I personally wouldn't venture far from home.
....
We are talking water pumps here, not fan belts?
Regardless, a fan belt can be obtained at virtually any parts store along with a mechanical water pump.
...
You still were able to get out of trouble fairly easily by phoning a friend to bring you a belt- Do you think your friend could have obtained an electric pump to your rescue in the same amount of time?
Unless you carry a spare pump with you, I personally wouldn't venture far from home.
....
Im not saying I recommend an electric, but I can see how in my situation, whereas I lost a belt in the middle of nowhere would have allowed me to get home without overheating. I was lucky enough to have a friend that was able to get me a belt and come help, but there was a lot of luck and good timing involved.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
So yes, if I lost the belt on my mechanical pump, and had a working electric pump that didn't rely on a belt to drive it, I could have made it home on a cold November night, still pushing coolant through the block.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 733
From: Youngstown Ohio
....... please tell me what its advantages are on a street car.. it does not free up HP because your alternator carries bigger load to run it.. You must use electric cooling fans , more load on alternator.. so its probably a negative in hp.. The OP can do as he likes, its his car. and I said that too... he asked for opinions, I gave one.. neither he nor you need follow it..
Here is one of many articles testing this...
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...c-water-pumps/
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
Im a little confused by this, because I was under the impression that the hypothetical electric pump that could have allowed me to drive home would have been an imaginary working pump, not an imaginary broken pump.
So yes, if I lost the belt on my mechanical pump, and had a working electric pump that didn't rely on a belt to drive it, I could have made it home on a cold November night, still pushing coolant through the block.
So yes, if I lost the belt on my mechanical pump, and had a working electric pump that didn't rely on a belt to drive it, I could have made it home on a cold November night, still pushing coolant through the block.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
Any car can receive the benefit of a horsepower gain via an electric WP install, whether stock or race. I respect your opinion, but it has been proven that it is definitely not a "net loss". Even with the ALT. load, there is a net gain. If you are not concerned about extracting every pony from your combo, then it's not for you. But if the advantage is worth it, then go for it.
Here is one of many articles testing this...
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...c-water-pumps/
Here is one of many articles testing this...
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...c-water-pumps/
Last edited by fishslayer143; Nov 23, 2016 at 11:00 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 733
From: Youngstown Ohio
not buying it. add the load of the pump and the electric fans and you have surpassed the load of the mechanical pump.. But more importantly, OP has only 180 hp... any gain less than 10-20 hp is never gonna be noticed.. unless you think the waterpump requires 30-40 hp to turn? Sure, on a 9 second race car, 2/100ths of a second might win a race...MAYBE!! but on a bone stock 81 C3, [ which is what the OP asked about] an electric pump is as about as effective as a wind sail