Water Pump Pulley

Naja · #1 (**permalink**) 08-02-2002, 01:54 PM

Looking for a source for V-belt water pump pulleys for a 460/429.
Haven't been able to find one in Houston.

I have a March pulley set. Got the large (6.25 inch diameter) water pump pulley with it. I think I should get better cooling at residential speeds with a smaller pulley. The smaller March pulley is 5.25 inches. At 5.25 inches (with a 5.75 inch crank pulley), the water pump only turns 10% faster than the crank. Several people have told me that the Ford pump is supposed to turn 1/3 faster than the crank.

I'm not sure what size the stock pulley is, but if I can find someone that has one, they can measure it for me. If it isn't 5 inches or less, I may need to have one made that is about 4.75 inches. (I have located someone that can make one, but, of course, that is a whole lot more expensive).

Thanx for any input.

Frank

Mr.Fixit · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-2002, 02:01 PM

I always had fine luck with the march "underdrive" pulley sets. Even with the water pump turning slower, coolant temps were unaffected. The only pulley that I wouldn't use every time was the one for the alternator. At idle with an electric fuel pump, two fans, and headlights on, a slight discharge condition would occur with the big alt pulley, unless you kept the car idling at 1100 rpm. But never a cooling problem.

Hotfingrs · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-2002, 03:15 PM

On a low horse engine "underdrive" might be ok, but on a high horse engine you would want between 7 and 12% overdrive. what you are looking for is about 20lbs of pressure in the cooling system, and this doesn't take into account the added pressure from the cap. you need to have a pressure gage in the system, warm the engine up to operating temps, then relieve the cap pressure, and start the engine and see what the pressure is...20 lbs is what you are looking for...this pressure in the cooling system will help prevent blown head gaskets in a hipo engine.

WestCoastBill · #4 (**permalink**) 08-07-2002, 10:01 PM

Frank, I don't know the history of all the parts for my 460, but I measured and here's what I got. There are two pulleys sandwiched together and mounted on my waterpump. The rear drives the alternator and is (guess-timating) a 1/4 inch smaller than the front pulley which is the one driven by the crank. It's diameter at the outside edge is 6 inches. It has a part number on it, DOVE 8509 EI. The crank pulley, measured the best I could see it, is 8 1/4 inches. This should provide some overdrive. I've had some overheating concerns, at idle, and based on, it goes away if I aim my shop vac output into the grill opening, have decided I needed radiator and/or fan changes. My alternator pulley measures 2 1/2 inches and I agree with Mr. Fixit, getting a good voltage reading at idle is difficult when everything is on. Question for Hotfingrs, where do you suggest for taking the pressure reading,the lower hose? Bill

Hotfingrs · #5 (**permalink**) 08-08-2002, 02:57 AM

if you don't have a water jacket in the head that you can use...then the intake manifold would work, or wherever your getting your water temp from.....