How can I tell?

[97Snake1668]

Hey all,
I was wondering if there is some way of telling what type of water pump I have on my car. It started leaking before I left and I want to order a new one for my father in law to install while I am gone. Unfortunatly I have been reading that the 68's may have two different types. It seems that there is a iron one and a aluminum one. Unfortunatly I am not home to pull it off and figure out by looking at the back (open and able to see the propellers or closed off) to figure it out. Is there any other way? It is a 68' with a 289 and factory Air. Thanks in advance!

Semper Fi,
Kris

 

[zookeeper]

I may be wrong, but I think only the earlier ones, as in '65-'66 were aluminum with an open back. I think all '68's used the same water pump.

 

[97Snake1668]

Awesome! I will go ahead and order one. Thanks for your help.

Semper Fi,
Kris

 

[zookeeper]

Glad I could help. Again, as far as I know the water pumps that are cast iron are all the same from late '65 to about 1970 are the same. If it's aluminum, it has an open back, and won't interchange due to a different timing chain cover. If it's from a newer 5.0, it is a reverse-rotation pump. But all pumps that have a passenger-side inlet and are made of cast iron are the same.

 

[D.Hearne]

There was an iron pump that also fit that open cavity timing cover. I took one off a 67 Stang. It's best if your paw-in-law just picked one up at the local parts house. That way if he does ened up with the wrong pump, he can always bring it back. If he's around Oceanside, there's a shop there that works on the early Stangs could help you. I don't recall what the place's name was, my son who's also a Marine and over in Iraq knows it.

 

[97Snake1668]

I went ahead and ordered a new one. I figured if I got the wrong one when he gets the pump off he will know. If it is the right one he can put it back on, if not, a trip to the parts store it will be! Thanks all. If something doesnt work out I can hit up one of the mustang shops in the area for some help. I know the one in Oceanside but I dont remember the name of it. Thanks again!

Kris

 

[Rusty67]

Aluminum isn't magnetic, check it with a magnet.