Water Pump
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 237
From: Diamondhead Mississippi
St. Jude Donor '17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Water Pump
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
TIA
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,740
Likes: 1,638
From: Fairfax Virginia
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!
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!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
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?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 237
From: Diamondhead Mississippi
St. Jude Donor '17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
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?
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 237
From: Diamondhead Mississippi
St. Jude Donor '17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 237
From: Diamondhead Mississippi
St. Jude Donor '17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
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.
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.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 195
From: folsom california
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 195
From: folsom california
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
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
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,369
Likes: 3,258
From: Hartford WI
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.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 1,312
From: LeClaire Iowa
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.