Water Pumps
- I installed a new water pump in my car but it’s still running hot.
- How do I know when I need a reverse rotation water pump?
- Why should I install an aluminum water pump?
- How do you measure the height of a water pump?
Q: I installed a new water pump in my car but it’s still running hot.
Engines that have been modified for more horsepower generally run hotter than stock engines. SuperCool water pumps are designed to provide 30% more flow. If combined with the proper thermostat and radiator, your engines overheating can be resolved.
Q: How do I know when I need a reverse rotation water pump?
If you are ordering a water pump by application, you will be certain that the water pump will be an exact replacement for your vehicle. In this case you need not worry about whether it is a reverse flow. If you are building an engine or upgrading from a “V” belt pulley to serpentine, you need to assess your situation. Most serpentine systems require a reverse water pump. You can determine this by how the belt travels around the water pump pulley. If the back of the serpentine belt travels around the water pump pulley you will require a reverse water pump. If the inside of the belt travels on the water pump pulley you will require a standard rotation water pump. Most pulley and bracket manufacturers can tell you what style of water pump you need for their system.
Q: Why should I install an aluminum water pump?
Some water pumps are available as aluminum rather than cast iron. Aluminum pumps are much lighter than cast iron and can be polished to a high luster without rusting.
Q: How do you measure the height of a water pump?
Measure from the top fan hub surface to the water pump mounting surface The industry term for measuring a water pump height is the “hub height”. The hub height is a critical belt alignment dimension determining where the water pump pulley belt groove(s) fall in relation to your crank, alternator, power steering pump and air conditioning pulley grooves. The dimension from the mounting gasket surface to the outside face of the hub (where the pulley is bolted) is the hub height. It is especially helpful to know what the hub height dimension is to determine if your Chevy water pump is a long or a short style. A long or short water pump may be used on any Chevy V8 (Gen I SB - Gen II BB) engine as long as the correct pulleys are used and the belts are in alignment. In the catalog “water pump” section you will find the hub height next to each model. Never attempt to press or pull the hub to change its dimension. This may result in an unbalanced fan blade that can explode the pump causing serious injury!