Small block timing covers and water pumps

[Luce]

So, I bought my motor. It's the Ford Racing small block 427. It came with a regular rotation water pump, and I want a serpentine system. Digging around on fleabay, I've seen late model mustang timing covers without the fuel pump boss and castings that look like the associated water pump would not have a back cover, but the truck 5.8L unit looks different. What I'm wondering is can the old style timing cover I have be used with a reverse rotation water pump, and what part do I ask for. I would rather not have to pull the pan and harmonic balancer to change the timing cover, and my guess is if such an animal exists, the truck unit would move more water.

[Rick Parker]

Luce:

For the sake of a cleaner front dress, you can find aftermarket pulleys for serpentine belts that will utilize a conventional rotation pump and eliminate the idler pulley. You would need an early V belt type front cover. The OEM serpentine belt application was devised to be able to eliminate multiple belts and keep the overall length of the installed engine as short as possible while utilizing A/C compressors, smog pumps, power steering pumps etc. Unfortunately it makes the front (IMO) look cluttered.
Or just go with V belt set up. Best advice either way, is to pull the pan and utilize a 1 piece pan gasket with metal inserts at the bolt holes that prevent the gasket from being over tightened. Fel pro, Victor and others make these, thay work very well and are easy to install AND are reusable.

Edlebrock makes a good series of water pumps if OEM is not up to your demands.

[mreid]

Unless you have more accessories than the wp and alternator, keep your current set up and use a serp belt. I have the same engine in my Kirkham and that is what I am using:

[Luce]

Thanks for the info guys. Here's what I worked out...

I already had the pulleys and alternator bought because the 392 I was planning on buying came with both water pumps. And I'm also running A/C.

The '90 trucks with the 5.8L have a serp belt. The bolts all line up, but the passages wont seal. So I used the back cover for the standard rotation with the rev rotation pump. The ports are unrestricted 1 sq in, but not ramped. It may be a little of a restriction, but minimal. And the aftermarket pump has a much bigger and better fitting impeller than the pump FoMoCo gives you, so I'm comfortable that flow won't be a problem.

Now I can fab some brackets.

[Luce]

So, how does the 427 run? Can it cruise at 1800 rpm without misbehaving? Does it scare you?