cdm747

Have to replace the water pump on my 88. Any brand suggestions, don't want to do this twice. Reviews online are all over the place.

TIA

ctmccloskey

I have had "very good" experiences with the "Edelbrock" "Stewart" and "Flowkooler" water pumps.

Currently I am using an Edelbrock high flow unit on my C3 427 that I run High Compression in. The 12.25-1 compression ratio causes the water temps to go over 250-260 (degrees F) so I use a high flow water pump. The Edelbrock hi flow pumps run twice the volume at idle which really helps keep the temperatures under control.

Does your Corvette ever run "hot" or "hotter than you would like" down there in coastal Mississippi?

I live in Northern Virginia and our climates are not that far apart. Here we get a good 5-6 months of warm-hot weather and my 1988 C4 gets warm when I sit in traffic for a while. I am sure that the extra volume flowing at low speeds will help keep my temperature in check so I am going to install another Edelbrock when my C4's water pump starts leaking.

I hope that you find a great deal on a "quality" water pump that will keep your Corvette cool for many years to come.

I wish you the very best in your quest!

jpipx

I used a Gates in my 95 vert. No issues so far...

Wayne88

I replaced my WP last summer with an AC Delco, with no problems so far.
I try to stick to OEM parts when I can.

HAD2HAV2

Jack the front end up and remove the front tires. Gives you more moving around room.
Go with Fel-pro blue water pump gaskets.

aklim

I like the Edelbrock but I suppose if you are stock, does it really make any difference if it cools perfectly evenly like Edelbrock says it does or whether it isn't as even which the ad implies it might not?

cdm747

Not really having any cooling issues, just developed a leak through the weep hole. My engine is stock other than removing the AIR system. Summit has a high flow that has good revues and a pretty good price. Might go with that one.

aklim

Not totally sure about the Summit brand. Not sure if it's claim to fame is because it is "budget friendly" aka cheap or not. Any reason why you don't want an OEM replacement since performance isn't the issue?

WW7

Get a Stewarts pump and do the job one time ...WW

cdm747

Overheating has not been an issue, just the normal temp rise while idling in traffic. I just figured supposed extra flow wouldn't hurt. None of the local brands, AZ, Advance, OR or nap had one in stock. Never had an issue with anything I purchased from Summit so far but that is why I asked for recommendations.

aklim

If you are not overheating, the best way to get anywhere is to keep it running the way it is by cleaning the the air dam area no less than once a year. We just recently tried it on a stock F-body but it wasn't really showing much of a difference although they claimed it was flowing equally to both sides. Quality was good in that it lasted me a long time.

I guess I'm not totally convinced that it will do much better than an OEM pump in a stock application. I haven't tested it YET in a modified motor like mine so that can be different.

cdm747

Like I said main reason I was asking was reviews were all over the place. Several brands say OE replacement but that doesn't mean a thing. I don't have any problem with AC Delco or Gates, both have good reps. I was not familiar with some of the others such as GMB. Just trying to do due diligence before buying one.

1984Z51auto

I've used Flowkooler on several Chevy small blocks and never had an issue.

vader86

I've run a Stewart for about 10 years now.

aklim

I agree 100% with your thought process of doing due diligence. I guess based on some of the house brands of things like say Wal*Mart's Mainstay, I tend to get a little nervous myself especially when I bought a product and they changed it to another "better vendor" and it turns out worse. Last time I allowed Autoglass to change the windshield to the house brand which was as good as MB since it came from the same factory, it turned out bad. Took a bit of work to convince them that the glass would disable the auto wipers and the MB glass re-enabled it.

My $0.02. Take it for whatever it's worth. I stick to known good brands. Stewart, Edelbrock, Flowkooler and avoid stuff that can make me go back in there with coolant all over the floor.

gerardvg

Hi
Most water pumps are the cheap pressed tin paddle without sides type, while they may appear to work in a standard engine they suffer with ability to pump enough at idle or cavitate at high rpm.
They don't work anywhere near as good as a cast curved vane impeller design which are few and far between, got a water pump with thicker diameter shaft and curved vane impeller.
Was having trouble with high coolant temperatures with a double radiator, now she runs nice and cool.
Don't have to worry about the temp gauge anymore

mtwoolford

The main difference in water pumps is that the less expensive use an impeller that's stamped out of sheet metal and the impeller blades / vanes are straight, almost like a paddle wheel, if that's an appropriate analogy, while the higher end pumps use a machined impeller with curved vanes, which move more water with less horsepower. Water pumps are definitely one area where you get what you pay for, bigger bearings, better seals, etc. Shop around.

mtwoolford

aklim

AFAIK. You probably won't get more than you pay for but you can always get less than what you paid for.

Whaleman

What brands use the cast machined impeller? Thanks