Water pump needs replacement

High volume water pump for street machines = Teh Lose

If your cooling system is up to snuff (i.e. good quality radiator, hoses, coolant/water mix, etc), then the standard volume pump is MORE than adequate.

If you have all of the above mentioned items, and your cooling system is in good shape but you make SO MUCH horse power that you're still not able to cool THEN you might need a high volume pump.

Pumping water through an insufficient cooling system even faster than it was pumping before, will not solve any cooling issues you might be having.

Thermal transfer laws still apply, regardless of how fast you pump water through a heat exchanger.

Some tips on water pump replacement:

Take a cardboard box, & turn it upside down. Count the number of bolts that hold the water pump on, don’t forget to count the 4 funny looking studs too. Poke a hole in the box for each bolt/stud. Arrange the holes in a circular formation, and mark the box at the 12:00 point. When you remove a water pump bolt, put it in one of the holes in the box according to where it came out of the water pump. When you are done, all bolts will be arranged it the exact same order and position that you removed them from the water pump. That makes re-installing them easy, no wondering where does this bolt go.

A long shank tap should be used to chase the dirt & corrosion out of the original threads before you reassemble everything. Cleaning the threads will help prevent the bolts from seizing next time (yes, there will be a next time).


Long shank 5/16” taps

Do a search on the part number when the first page of their web site opens up. Keep in mind that everything increases in price, so the tap prices may be a little low.

Industrial Supply Equipment from MSC Industrial Supply 5/16” pulley tap, 6” shank P/N 04801189 price $27.15

OR second choice, will not clean all the bottom threads unless you grind the end of the tap off some so that it will get the bottom threads in the hole.

Industrial Supply Equipment from MSC Industrial Supply 5/16”extension tap, 6” reduced diameter shank P/N 04701181 $30.67

Use lots of antiseize on the bolts to protect them from corrosion and make them easier to remove next time. I use NAPA #BK 7651151 at $21.29 for 16 oz. It is good for all the bolt and nuts, especially water pump and exhaust bolts and nuts.

See Totally Stainless for replacement stainless steel bolts. Last time I checked, they didn't have the studs. Nice folks, very into cars of all types. They have all kinds of stainless fasteners for almost every car. The prices are very reasonable, less the $10 for the water pump kit without the studs.


The studs are a Motormite item available at your local Advance Discount auto Parts store.

Motormite Water Pump Stud Kits for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks w/3.8L, 4.6L, 5.0L, 5.8L.



Part Number: 23744