[78 WS6]

Long time fan of Stewart water pumps, am having to replace timing cover on my 78 WS6 w/ no pump issues but figure ought to change pump while in the neighborhood. Found out Stewart doesn't do Pontiac (shame on them). Car is bone stock except headers, nice driver w/less than 100K. Suggestions, please.

[Ben M.]

NAPA Tru-Flow 43102 with proper clearanced divider plate. Also change\check the o-rings for the pump sleeves at the same time.

[jonmachota78]

as far as performance, more important than the brand, is the vane to divider plate clearance. using a bfh on the plate, set clearance to zero without the gasket. then assembely with the gasket will set the clearance and will pump like a mofo. common mod

[steve25]

Stay away from the pumps that use a alternator type fan as the impeller!
If your current pump has the cast impeller and you have the time, then just send that out to be rebuilt as they are the best!
The factory knew what they where doing in regards to moving coolant thru the motor!!

[Old Goat 67]

Flying Dutchman. Guy knows his Pontiac pumps! He'll fix it right.

http://www.fdrbp.com/

[chrisp]

Cast impeller full vane to end , have seen some that are not full vane to the end .

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by Ben M.

NAPA Tru-Flow 43102 with proper clearanced divider plate. Also change\check the o-rings for the pump sleeves at the same time.

Is that a cast impeller?

[grivera]

Beware- I had a pump rebuilt by Cardone and retained the cast impeller. Cardone charged the price of a rebuilt pump but Napa fleeced my at the tune of over $60 for shipping and handling. I had no idea it would be that expensive and they said the didn't no a price until it was returned by Cardone. It's the short 69 pump that no one has in stock.

[Formula8]

I have a PRW aluminum pump in my car now. Cast iron impellor. I only have a few hundred miles but it seems to be fine.

[rexs73gto]

Brand as far as use with or without a cast impeller doesn't really matter. If you have a cast impeller or a stamped steel impeller doesn't matter when it comes to coolant flow it's how it's set up that really makes the difference. Yes some may say the cast impeller is better because Pontiac used it, well the reason Pontiac used most of there parts was for cost & not much else. Cast iron was cheap back then , cheaper then steel so they used it. I've used both kinds & I have to say if you spend the time to make sure all your clearences are corret & your timming is correct & your fan is the right one for your engine. Yes theres a lot of different fans to use & the wrong one can cause just as many problems as the wrong pump. Just spend the extra time to make sure all the things that need to be checked are & you'll have a happy cool engine.

[Schurkey]

For what it's worth:

Stock Pontiac full-impeller pump vs. "Flow Kooler" hot-rod pump.


Having looked at them in-person, I'll take the full-impeller version as long as the stock baffle is hand-pounded to tighten the clearance.

I had to trim the spot-welds on the FlowKooler pump because the stock baffle was close enough that they scraped.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by rexs73gto

Brand as far as use with or without a cast impeller doesn't really matter. If you have a cast impeller or a stamped steel impeller doesn't matter when it comes to coolant flow it's how it's set up that really makes the difference. Yes some may say the cast impeller is better because Pontiac used it, well the reason Pontiac used most of there parts was for cost & not much else. Cast iron was cheap back then , cheaper then steel so they used it. I've used both kinds & I have to say if you spend the time to make sure all your clearences are corret & your timming is correct & your fan is the right one for your engine. Yes theres a lot of different fans to use & the wrong one can cause just as many problems as the wrong pump. Just spend the extra time to make sure all the things that need to be checked are & you'll have a happy cool engine.

X2
The last pump I installed on my car was a new AC Delco, has stamped impeller. I Beat around on the plate until I got it TIGHT. The engine now cools as good as it did w/ original pump!!!

[george kujanski]

You guys are supposed to send me $1 each.

George

[jonmachota78]

Originally Posted by george kujanski

You guys are supposed to send me $1 each.

George

Lol i promise i will drink a $1 beer in your honor. Thx for the tip, George

[TedRamAirII]

Originally Posted by Schurkey

For what it's worth:

Stock Pontiac full-impeller pump vs. "Flow Kooler" hot-rod pump.


Having looked at them in-person, I'll take the full-impeller version as long as the stock baffle is hand-pounded to tighten the clearance.

I had to trim the spot-welds on the FlowKooler pump because the stock baffle was close enough that they scraped.

IMO, the Flowkooler takes the clearance of the vanes and plates out of the equation. What do you think?

[george kujanski]

Nope. If there is too much gap, the coolant will still recirculate around the impeller rather than draw coolant thru the center hole (from the radiator) or engine block when the thermostat is closed. Still need to close up that gap in my opinion.

Send $$.

George