My new 1988 T/A

[DynoDave]

Not time for a little VHT Engine paint on the fasteners, thermostat housing and plate.









VERY glossy. My mistake. When it said black engine paint, I "assumed" it would be like the black engine paint on my GM engine, like the pulleys, semi-gloss / chassis black. These will stand out like a sore thumb. I had planned to paint the new water pump with the same paint, but that's not going to happen. Speaking of water pumps....

[DynoDave]

I had purchased a low hour used Edelbrock water pump from a member here many years back. This would have been the time to install it, but it was at the epicenter (cause, I think......well, I can't say cause...I WAS THE CAUSE) of the garage fire a few years ago, and is no more.

I later acquired a PRW water pump on clearance from Rock Auto as a replacement for the Edelbrock. Aluminum, roller bearing, CNC machine iron impeller for durability and precision (one would guess). And dirt cheap on sale. Chinese. Unfortunately, it got "lost" in the shuffle of items after the garage fire. Couldn't find it when I needed it.

So I'm buying a 3rd pump. Eddy had nothing for me, so after reviewing several options, I lighted on a FlowKooler. Unfortunately, they did not have my pump in aluminum, so I bought the iron version. Again, promises of improved impeller design, CNC machining for tighter clearances and improved efficiency, sealed roller bearings, etc. Claimed improved flow, and more "pressure" in the cooling system to prevent hot spots (don't think I'm buying that story....the whole system is pressurized already). Made in the USA.

So of course, shortly after the FlowKooler shows up, I find the PRW. So now I have a choice to make.

Our candidates....stock pump on the bottom. No leaks, but 38 years old, rusty, 60-some thousand miles. I can't see putting it back on. In the middle is the FlowKooler, and the PRW on top. (Can anyone else my age see "PRW", and not think "PAW"? But I digress...)















Double checked the measurements....hubs all at the same height off the floor....mounting bosses all at roughly the same height (the PRW are slightly shorter, but they give you new hardware, and the mounting bolts have washers, where the factory hardware did not. The aftermarket ones have a heater hose provision which the factory does no, and the PRW has an additional tab at the bottom (to mount a support to the timing cover for roller cam conversion??? Or ???). But otherwise, all dimensionally accurate as far as I can tell / check.

So far, I'd say the edge goes to the PRW, because if all else is the same, why not save a few pounds. But lets look inside.

[DynoDave]

12 or 13 years ago, I bought this $8 item off of ebay....a small bore scope with light, powered by, displayed on, and recorded/photographed by your cell phone (Samsung S4 in my case...no phone service anymore (3G/4G) you'll see it still working in the background of some of my bench photos, playing music loaded to it, or streaming KSHE radio, 103.1 out of Lapeer, 103.9 out of Flint, 104.9 WEGE for Dee Snider's House of Hair, Sammy Hagar's Top Rock Countdown, NASCAR Races on MRN or PRN, etc....great little phone....bought one for me and one for my son when he turned 16...he's not 29).
Don't use it often, but great to have when you DO need it.






These are photos with my current phone of my old phone.

Here's the factory pump. Welded steel vanes. Actually looks like a better design than I had expected...in the past I've seen these stamped into 90 degree angles, like an alternator fan. These actually have some curvature to them. And pretty tight clearances. Not bad IMO. Not bad at all.





Now a peak inside the FlowKooler and all of it's CNC'd aluminum anaodized glory. Agin, nice tight clearances. I like it.




And lastly the CNC'd iron impeller of the PRW. Ummm...what is that cast nub? Yikes! Look at the gaps! And where's the CNC machining? On the back side? Not a pump designer, but this looks terrible to my eye.







This internal inspection made my choice easy. FlowKooler for the win! I'll take the extra weight in favor of a design that better meets it's primary purpose...pumping coolant. That chinese thing will go back in the box and on the shelf, and I'm glad I didn't pay much for it. Will probably sit there until I die, and my wife can throw it out.

Have some different engine paint in a semi-gloss finish ordered, along with matching primer. Should be here Monday. I'll paint the pump then, and if I like the finish, maybe dust a bit of it over the other overly-glossy parts.

[DynoDave]

It's not often that things go smoothly with aftermarket parts. But I figured, it's a SBC water pump....what could possibly go wrong?

FlowKooler casting is thicker in many places, and does not fit between the aluminum accessory brackets.

BOOM! Hits here. Can't line up the bolt holes. Upper right corner.



BOOM! Hits here. Upper Left corner.



BOOM! Hits here too, on the lower left corner.



The only place there is good clearance...lower right corner.



I didn't want to start grinding on it until I found out if they had another part # that might be thinner and fit my application better. Spoke with them today, and they do not. So there's some grinding in my future for this evening.

It's hard to SEE the difference, but the mounting points are thicker, as well as other points on the pump housing.

[MP81]

I hate when I spent money on something that is supposed to fit, and then it does not.

[DynoDave]

Yeah, it's discouraging. My Alston subframe connectors...I get it....they will require some massaging to get them right.

But this is a SBC water pump for goodness sake. Just NOT something I expected to have to re-work. But, it is what it is. Didn't have time to carve on this last night, and have a high-pressure, err, congenial professional salesman stopping by tonight to price a replacement from door. Guess it's goin to be a Friday night or weekend thing. Just need decent enough weather to do that grinding outside.

[DynoDave]

Swamped at work, and with spring rains, it's been difficult to find outdoor garage time. But I snuck in an evening earlier this week. Wanted to work outside so I wasn't sending sparks and iron shavings everywhere.

It took about 8 trips back and forth to grind a little, find a new spot that was hitting, grind some more, etc. etc. etc.

A little off both upper ears, left and right...




Now it was hitting in a different spot on the passenger side, but still at the upper mounting bolt boss...took some additional material off, and stair-stepped it a bit.



Now it was hitting on the timing gear cover, mostly on the passenger side, but I took a bit off both sides to be sure. Taped up to keep debris out...




So now we were clear up top, and on the inside around the cover, but I still could not easily start all the bolts...just couldn't maneuver the pump enough to get them all lined up. Turns out it was also hitting hard on the passenger side lower, on the webbing of the aluminum bracket near the A.I.R. pump. This area had to be massaged the heaviest.



Finally, I was able to easily (relatively) start all 4 bolts and get the pump to sit flush.



Now I can smooth it just a touch, clean it up, and get it primed and painted. Much more of a hassle than it should have been, or than I expected.

[MP81]

Fair bit of grinding, but looks like a lot of material that simply doesn't need to be there in the first place!

[DynoDave]

Yes, it's pretty portly with extra iron here and there. So busy with work and other activities, I haven't touched in a week as of today. Sad.

[DynoDave]

Still chipping away at this when I can make the time. 18 year family pet is having heart problems, so doing our best to manage his condition as we move toward the end of his life has really taken it out of us the last month or so. Also trying to get motorhome ready for summer travel, getting ready for Pontiac convention next week, etc. etc.

Quick summary...first black engine paint too glossy, bought some that is slightly less so. Still too shiny, but we're going to run with it. Had to strip fasteners again (different paint brands not compatible, wrinkled when I tried to top coat with the new paint). Not going to end up using the plate for the A.I.R. system, but deleting all I can instead as diverter valve was left dangling in space, and attempts to tie it off just jammed it against the exhaust manifold. New ECM with A.I.R. and EGR codes turned off.

Water pump painted and ready to go. Couldn't strip t-stat housing to my satisfaction, so I bought another. It's now primed and painted along with fasteners. Taped off front accessory drives and painted the timing chain cover to match...may or may not stick well to the KBS rust coating, but it's good enough for now. Also did a quick and dirty scrub of the block around the cover, and spray bombed those surfaces as well. It won't last, but for a time it will match the cover, pump, etc.







You can also see the cleaned accessory bracket on the left, yet to be cleaned on the right.

[DynoDave]

Accessory bracket on the driver side got the same degreasing treatment of engine degreaser soak, scrub with additional degreaser and tooth brush, rinse, soak with L.A.'s Totally Awesome cleaner, then brush with additional cleaner, rinse, and dry. 95% improvement, but more to do another day, especially around the steering box. 38 years of grease and grime did not leave the scene easily, but a nice change.

First pass. Hey look...the top of the steering gear box is aluminum. Who knew?





Getting better.



Second pass. As good as it's getting for now.




Hope to get the knock sensor back in the block tomorrow, along with the fan switch in the head, maybe the heater core.

[DynoDave]

I try to keep chipping away, but as most of us encounter, other things in "life" get in the way.

Did spend a few hours out there last night (I love being out there from 9-11 Sundays when I can stream Dee Snider's House of Hair!).

Fan switch hand started. Not easy with fat hands and little space. Not being able to see up close and having to wear reading glasses does not make it better.



1/2" socket with 1/2" short wobble extension didn't work. Ended up with a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter, then a long bent handled 3/8" swivel headed ratchet.



Seated. No tape or sealer per instructions. Hope to God it doesn't leak, as it's a PITA to get to. Don't want to be back under here for a while.



Original connector and wiring in good shape, but thought a little extra heat protection wouldn't hurt. Unfortunately, the connector body is too large to fit through this product.



Connected.

[DynoDave]

Knock sensor next. Using this pick with 2 bends...



....to clean out the hole in the block. Could not get my thread cleaning tap to start, so went this route.



Was sort of surprised at the rusty water that had trickled out in the year or more it's been apart. The coolant was still bright green, and the radiator spotless. Is what it is.

Glad I cleaned the threads.



22mm impact (6 sided) impact socket fit the knock sensor perfectly. The sensor had a patch of thread sealer pre-applied. Short wobble extension here as a test, ended up using a longer one with it.




Driven home.



Connected. Again, factory connector body in good shape.

[DynoDave]

Had these starter wires off for improved hand and tool access to those sensors. Glad I took photos of all this when I took it apart. Cleaned stud on starter and terminals on cables.



Secured.



Near the end of the evening. This was a lot of trips in and out from under the car. But did a few other chores while the HOH wrapped up.

Ended up deciding to pull the diverter valve. Disconnected electrical.



This portion of the system removed.



Started laying out heater control valve and hoses, and their new counterparts. I may cut some of the length out of these, if I can relocate the valve further back. It's nice being able to actually SEE the passenger side valve cover.



And finally unboxed the new radiator (a year after buying it...don't do things this way guys). Fortunately it is correct, and undamaged.



That's it for the night. Time to go in and get a solid 5 hours of sleep before I head to work tomorrow. With luck, water pump will go on tomorrow.

[DynoDave]

It's water pump time! Trimmed the one gasket to size, and coated both sides. Helps hold those little rascals in place while bolting the pump in place.



Torqued to spec, bolt heads touched up, and the machined surfaces on the block not covered by the pump and gasket got a little paint too.



Started to clean up. Wouldn't get to sleep until after midnight, making that 5am alarm seem all the earlier.



Half day in the office today, then off to the Pontiac Oakland Club International week long convention, and celebration of Pontiacs 100th birthday here in Pontiac, MI.

POCI Convention Schedule