Well guys, as I prepare to compare a stock 409 water pump with a Lamar aluminum pump, I thought it proper to take a Lamar pump apart, and do a point-by-point comparison, in hand. Next weekend, I'll be comparing both a stock pump to this Lamar pump, installed on my stroker 446 '55' Belair -- to see if the Lamar pump actually can cool better.
I have posted a few pics here of my findings.
At first glance, the flow-ports of the Lamar pump are obviously larger -- not by all that much, but definitely larger -- which should translate into greater flow-rate (volume increases by the square of the increased radius, which means a that even a slightly larger flow-port path will make for a big increase in flow). Black arrows show some casting slag in the ports, which I will be removing.
On the outside, you can see the CRW logo, and that the casting is overall a nice looking piece. The inlet to the pump has what appears to be a circumferential welded bead for water hose sealing, which has been ground smooth (arrow).
Also two "x's" show where the heater hose and intake by-passes remain blank. That poses a bit of a problem for me since I do run a heater, and do want to use the intake by-pass. I'll have them drilled and tapped this week (hopefully) for the upcoming comparison.
Dissecting further (I used to teach Gross anatomy using cadavers in med school), I was disappointed to find only a stamped steel SBC style impeller. The stamped steel impeller has paint on the fins which was apparently used to check for adequate clearances with the backing plate. Two of the fins were ground down a bit (arrows). The bolts securing the plate are S.A.E 3/16" flat head allens (blind-tapped).
At the machine shop today where my 482 is being built, I placed a billet timing cover that I plan to use on the block, and then, tried to fit the Lamar pump over it. The water pump will not fit over such a timing cover -- it clashes severely with the timing cover, even with using flat-head allens on the backing plate.
Since I will be using the Billet timing cover, I will need to fabricate two 3/16" shims, with two gaskets on each side of the water pump to get the needed minimal clearance. That will also necessitate shimming the crank pulley the same 3/16". I have "Zoops alignright" alternator and A/C brackets, that will adjust easily for their proper belt alighment.
I did not have a stock timing cover to compare, but, will bring one to the shop to make that comparison, when I bring the pump back to be drilled and tapped for the water by-passes.
PS. I could not upload all the pics due to the 5-pic limit... see the following post for them.
Any comments?
Denis
I have posted a few pics here of my findings.
At first glance, the flow-ports of the Lamar pump are obviously larger -- not by all that much, but definitely larger -- which should translate into greater flow-rate (volume increases by the square of the increased radius, which means a that even a slightly larger flow-port path will make for a big increase in flow). Black arrows show some casting slag in the ports, which I will be removing.
On the outside, you can see the CRW logo, and that the casting is overall a nice looking piece. The inlet to the pump has what appears to be a circumferential welded bead for water hose sealing, which has been ground smooth (arrow).
Also two "x's" show where the heater hose and intake by-passes remain blank. That poses a bit of a problem for me since I do run a heater, and do want to use the intake by-pass. I'll have them drilled and tapped this week (hopefully) for the upcoming comparison.
Dissecting further (I used to teach Gross anatomy using cadavers in med school), I was disappointed to find only a stamped steel SBC style impeller. The stamped steel impeller has paint on the fins which was apparently used to check for adequate clearances with the backing plate. Two of the fins were ground down a bit (arrows). The bolts securing the plate are S.A.E 3/16" flat head allens (blind-tapped).
At the machine shop today where my 482 is being built, I placed a billet timing cover that I plan to use on the block, and then, tried to fit the Lamar pump over it. The water pump will not fit over such a timing cover -- it clashes severely with the timing cover, even with using flat-head allens on the backing plate.
Since I will be using the Billet timing cover, I will need to fabricate two 3/16" shims, with two gaskets on each side of the water pump to get the needed minimal clearance. That will also necessitate shimming the crank pulley the same 3/16". I have "Zoops alignright" alternator and A/C brackets, that will adjust easily for their proper belt alighment.
I did not have a stock timing cover to compare, but, will bring one to the shop to make that comparison, when I bring the pump back to be drilled and tapped for the water by-passes.
PS. I could not upload all the pics due to the 5-pic limit... see the following post for them.
Any comments?
Denis
Do they have junk yards in Florida 