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Aluminum water pump

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Aluminum water pump

Posted: 5/5/11 8:30amMessage 1 of 10
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Manteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed
I'm replacing the water pump on the '81 and questions began to arise. Do I want an aluminum pump instead. Some pump higher volumes of water, but are these really a practical upgrade ? Besides being more expensive, the manufacturers don't seem to want to warranty them past 30 days, kinda unnerving. I'd love to hear the voice of experience on the matter.
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Aluminum water pump

Posted: 5/5/11 8:41amMessage 2 of 10
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HOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
I've used the HD cast iron models for years with no failures.

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Aluminum water pump

Posted: 5/5/11 8:55amMessage 3 of 10
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Equinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2570
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
Big smile If the GENERAL put them on it, they will work. CAST is best.
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Aluminum water pump

Posted: 5/5/11 11:25amMessage 4 of 10
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22714
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Most 'luminuminum pumps do have improved impellers that will flow more volume of coolant, which is not a bad thing. Is it worth the extra $$$? Not in my opinion, unless yer fightin a heat issue to start with. I'd stick with the plain jane pump, meself.....just get ya a can of AlumaBlast while yer at the parts house and paint it...no-one will ever know.

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Aluminum water pump

Posted: 5/5/11 6:41pmMessage 5 of 10
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Manteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed
Thanks guys, I love this place. With too many cars, I've ordered a mess of parts on line, and when you make a mistake or change your mind (and I've done plenty of both) it's just not worth it sometimes to exchange items. I'll take this order in to town to my local Napa.
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Aluminum water pump

Posted: 5/5/11 8:25pmMessage 6 of 10
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Vancouver, WA - USA
Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 869
Vette(s): 1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
I posted several months ago about a leaking weep hole problem I had with a parts store iron pump.  Took it back to the parts store (about 5 years later) and they replaced it for free.  Thumbs Up 

 

1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
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Aluminum water pump

Posted: 5/6/11 6:51amMessage 7 of 10
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Given equal design, the only difference between a cast iron water pump and an aluminum one is less weight and possibly better heat transfer.  The coolant doesn't care what material it's passing through.

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Aluminum water pump

Posted: 5/8/11 9:13amMessage 8 of 10
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Marana, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/8/2010
Posts: 104
Vette(s): 1982 Silver Blue
Stewart Stage One cast iron pump will move more water and outlast stock or rebuilt pumps. The last one I installed was still working well after 10 years when the car was sold.
If concerned about original looks, the pump housing is an OEM unit machined inside to flow better.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EMP-13103/
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Re: Aluminum water pump

Posted: 8/20/11 12:12pmMessage 9 of 10
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Apache Junction, AZ - USA
Joined: 10/15/2006
Posts: 285
Vette(s): 1982,150K,Renegade CFI,Hooker Side Pipes,85 fuel pump,Bilsteins,HD suspension, Aluminum radiator, SharkBar/w 5-Point Restraints. 3:73 gears coming soon.
I've been using the Steward Stage 1 high-flow for several years with no problems. This was one of many things done to fight my high heat problem.
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Re: Aluminum water pump

Posted: 8/20/11 4:34pmMessage 10 of 10
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sonoma, CA - USA
Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784
Vette(s): 72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe
here's my story, bought a polished alum. WP on e-bay for 78.00 delivered,alum. impeller, 30% more volumn and a lifetime warr., for my rat rod, I'am feeling good about the deal so I go's to put the WP pulley on and its rubin on the heater hose and by pass boss I'am using stock chev pullies, what the &&^^%$# and I lift the hood on the vette cause I run Edel. on it, I noticed that the boss's have a flat spot in those area's to clear the pulleys, so's I figure I'll file the areas a bit to get some clearence I filed about 1/16 off and still not enough, so now with the spacer kits, and a new pulley I could have bought an Edel. |ohwell| , after filing on the pump there goes my warr. you really have eyeball the photos of the products you buy on line or made oversea's
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