Water Pump
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,362
Likes: 2,730
All of the 'premium' pumps mentioned in the thread are likely good choices. Maybe the way you choose is quiz each as to the 'rebuild' of their offering. Can it be? Is it an offered service? What is the warranty?
Knowing that there has to be foundry issues I'd think with the 'generic' offerings I'd be concerned.
I think WW did an Edelbrock not many years ago and mentioned his running 'hotter' - I see in this thread he mentions Stewart!! I might have leaned that direction also.
If someone were offering a premium build using 'your core' and you knew it were OE and only a 'weeper' I might consider that.
Knowing that there has to be foundry issues I'd think with the 'generic' offerings I'd be concerned.
I think WW did an Edelbrock not many years ago and mentioned his running 'hotter' - I see in this thread he mentions Stewart!! I might have leaned that direction also.
If someone were offering a premium build using 'your core' and you knew it were OE and only a 'weeper' I might consider that.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 168
Likes: 48
From: Central Florida
Put it in a year ago...No problems....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 195
From: folsom california
there are any of a number of short style water pumps of varying prices, for a actual high volume pump, none are gonna be $49.99 cheapo's, and while you can spend more for some really high end race oriented pumps, Edlebrock pump #8815 should more than fit the bill. While most any short style reverse rotation water pump with a 0.750 inch snout should work, the Edlebrock unit is specific to your year corvette. Good luck
Last edited by mtwoolford; Feb 28, 2018 at 09:39 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
Note. "No problems" doesn't always denote that there won't be a problem sooner than expected. Bottom line, it has to stand the test of time ON THE AVERAGE and perform well before we declare "No Problem".
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
You sure about that? I thought it has to be some sort of reverse rotation which is what makes it specific to the 84 to 91 Corvette?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,740
Likes: 1,638
From: Fairfax Virginia
My Edlebrock water pump (8860) used on a BB C3 has a CNC machined impeller.
My Stewart water pump has a cast impeller.
What helped me was looking at the "quality" of the parts. Edlebrock made a very nice casting and then finished it in a way that makes it look better installed.
The better pumps are also available in aluminum instead of heavy cast iron.
My Stewart water pump has a cast impeller.
What helped me was looking at the "quality" of the parts. Edlebrock made a very nice casting and then finished it in a way that makes it look better installed.
The better pumps are also available in aluminum instead of heavy cast iron.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
My Edlebrock water pump (8860) used on a BB C3 has a CNC machined impeller.
My Stewart water pump has a cast impeller.
What helped me was looking at the "quality" of the parts. Edlebrock made a very nice casting and then finished it in a way that makes it look better installed.
The better pumps are also available in aluminum instead of heavy cast iron.
My Stewart water pump has a cast impeller.
What helped me was looking at the "quality" of the parts. Edlebrock made a very nice casting and then finished it in a way that makes it look better installed.
The better pumps are also available in aluminum instead of heavy cast iron.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 195
From: folsom california
you are 100% correct. my bad. it's the serpentine belt drive that reverses the rotation of the pump.
Last edited by mtwoolford; Feb 28, 2018 at 09:41 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
Nothing is perfect. That said, the cheaper the item, chances are it won't perform as well or last as long as a more expensive one. There is no reason something good is cheaper. If YOU are good at your work and are worth $20 an hour, would you like to talk about doing the same thing for $10?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
All of the 'premium' pumps mentioned in the thread are likely good choices. Maybe the way you choose is quiz each as to the 'rebuild' of their offering. Can it be? Is it an offered service? What is the warranty?
Knowing that there has to be foundry issues I'd think with the 'generic' offerings I'd be concerned.
I think WW did an Edelbrock not many years ago and mentioned his running 'hotter' - I see in this thread he mentions Stewart!! I might have leaned that direction also.
If someone were offering a premium build using 'your core' and you knew it were OE and only a 'weeper' I might consider that.
Knowing that there has to be foundry issues I'd think with the 'generic' offerings I'd be concerned.
I think WW did an Edelbrock not many years ago and mentioned his running 'hotter' - I see in this thread he mentions Stewart!! I might have leaned that direction also.
If someone were offering a premium build using 'your core' and you knew it were OE and only a 'weeper' I might consider that.
.. Yes I did have an Edelbrock before I installed the Stewarts , and yes it did run about 5 degrees hotter then a stock pump... I think the guys on here reasoned that it was moving the water to fast through the engine to cool properly...The Stewarts pump keeps the temps right where they use to be, around 180 degrees while moving at 30 mph or more...WW
Last edited by WW7; Mar 10, 2018 at 07:52 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
Btw. you weren't that optimistic earlier.
Last edited by ToniH; Mar 8, 2018 at 09:30 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 237
From: Diamondhead Mississippi
St. Jude Donor '17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
I decided to try the Summit pump. I have not installed yet. I did open the back to look at the impeller. it appears to be a stainless steel welded impeller with 6 curved vanes. Casting seems to be good.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
Yes, in theory they do, its completely another matter if the Chinese will follow that standard in the long run. I would not take chances with mission critical parts like water or oil pump.
Btw. you weren't that optimistic earlier.
Btw. you weren't that optimistic earlier.
Look at the euphemisms like "budget" or "I'm not building a race car". What do you think the question is? Besides "how cheap can I get to have all the benefits of the good stuff"?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 1,312
From: LeClaire Iowa
I have a 96 base. Ebay lists two AC Delco water pumps. One is 252-699 for $121.00 and 251-554 at $246.00. Does anyone know what the difference is and is the more expensive worth it? Thank You, Dan