I'm ready to cool the old big block. I've ordered my radiator and fans from PRC. Now I'm in the market for an electric water pump. I see Meziere and CSI seems to be two of the leaders. Does anyone have any grips/praises about either of the two? I see some posts 30/35/55 gpm I'm not sure I would need 55 gpm!!! Would I have enough time for heat transfer in the radiator? Thanks in advance

Shannon

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"You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends nose."

67 Chevelle
Merlin 540
3.73's
91'1500 GMC
75'Female, with set of aftermarket headlights
2002 HARLEY SUPERCREW with eaton supercharger(wifes vehicle)

www.geocities.com/shannont802002 (http://www.geocities.com/shannont802002)

I've seen a few on street cars but I'd check the specs for the expected life of one and figure how long it'll last you. Then there's the extra juice it'll take to run another electric accessory and I don't know if they'll run at different speeds. What's the effect of running the same amount of water through the engine at idle and 3500 RPM? Then there's the problem (maybe) of running belts.

I put a PRC radiator in my 67 that used to run 185-190 the majority of the time with a 160 stat. After adding A/C, it'd run 215-220. Just changing the radiator out dropped the temp to 150-155 range under normal driving and 180 or so with the A/C - never got above 190. The thicker rad did move the fan about 3/4" closer to the radiator but I had to forego the shroud. I'd try it with a regular water pump first and see what happens...unless you just like the sexy look of the electric. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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TC Gold #92/ACES #1709
67 SS & 67 Elky
GR8PMKN (http://www.dalesplace.com/images/chevelle/more_pics/p001182.jpg)

Dale's Place (http://www.dalesplace.com) Team 67 (http://www.team67.com)
Midwest Chevelle Regional Governing Council (http://www.midwestchevelles.com)
Integrity: If you have it, it doesn't matter - If you don't have it, it doesn't matter.

Yeah Dale, I'm alittle concerned about the electric pump at idle. Thats why I'm considering a 35 gpm model. I'm going to continue asking around about their use on the street, and yeah they do have sorta of a sexy, sleek look http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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"You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends nose."

67 Chevelle
Merlin 540
3.73's
91'1500 GMC
75'Female, with set of aftermarket headlights
2002 HARLEY SUPERCREW with eaton supercharger(wifes vehicle)

www.geocities.com/shannont802002 (http://www.geocities.com/shannont802002)

Your decision for the PRC radiator and electric fan is an excellent one.

However, I would like to talk you out of the electric pump for the street with all due respect.

The reason is simple. The pumps will NOT flow enough coolant under cruising duress and you will end up on the side of the road overheated under certain normal driving conditions.

A mechanical pump such as a Stewarts Stage I will output at typical cruising RPMs of 3000 to 3500 about 75 gpm! This is twice most of the electrics. They will flow about 30 gpm at idle which the electric matches all the time. You can select a good looking "overdrive" pulley and bracket set to even boost your insurance if wanted.

Take this scenerio...because it happened to a rodder that I stopped to help on the way to Pigeon Forge TN from Atlanta. Your cruising up 441 on your way to PF for the big car run. You are grinding up a 5% grade for over 4 miles. Your electric pump will only put out 35 gpm (some are even as high as 50ish such as the Stewarts...who do not recommend theirs for the street) and you quickly find out that going up hill burns hp and hp builds waste heat and it won't get taken away like it should because the pump just won't pump enough....regardless of radiator! If you had a mechanical pump cruising at 65 you would have at least 65 gpm which you would pass over the mountain grade without notice! This is where electrics fail.

If you want a great looking mechanical unit try a chrome TuffStuff pump ( www.tuffstuffperformance.com (http://www.tuffstuffperformance.com) ) for your big block. It is a super looking casting plus really performs.

http://www.tuffstuffperformance.com/db/images/1461Rs.jpg

Good luck regardless.

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Steve "Jack'stands" Jack
Tech forum at www.inccn.net/techforum.htm (http://www.inccn.net/techforum.htm)

[This message has been edited by HOTRODSRJ (edited 12-03-2002).]

[This message has been edited by HOTRODSRJ (edited 12-03-2002).]

I have run a Meziere 35 gpm pump on my street driven 540 powered Chevelle for over 9,000 miles with absolutely no problems. And that's in some HOT Texas weather. I have a large 2 row Be-Cool radiator with two 14" Spal fans on a tight fitting shroud. I typically cruise with only one fan running and turn the second one on only when the temperature approaches 190.

I admit that I don't have many hills to climb and my cruise speed is usually not over 55 mph.

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It's a BIGGER block!

Thanks for the replys guys. Now I'm really torn!! SS540 how did you set up your cooling fans? They aren't on a thermostat? You just have toggle switches or something? Sounds pretty neat. If the electric water pump thing works in your heated neck of the woods they should work in mine. I lived in Johnson Bayou, La for the last 24 years. That is only about an hour and thirty from your place. So I do understand the word HOT.

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"You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends nose."

67 Chevelle
Merlin 540
3.73's
91'1500 GMC
75'Female, with set of aftermarket headlights
2002 HARLEY SUPERCREW with eaton supercharger(wifes vehicle)

www.geocities.com/shannont802002 (http://www.geocities.com/shannont802002)

One fan is thermostatically controlled to come on at about 180 degrees. The other is controlled by a Painless Wiring switch. I also have a cool down circuit that will run one fan and the water pump after the engine is turned off if the temperature is above about 180 degrees. It shuts off at about 150 degrees.

One problem with the setup is routing of the pump inlet hose around the alternator if you use a low mount alternator like I do.
Meziere sells a 45 degree offset adapter to get around this problem.

I do carry a spare motor/impeller section just in case.

Certainly this setup is not ideal for everyone, but it works for me.



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It's a BIGGER block!

How many amps would it take to drive mecanical at 3500rpm? I know you can get kits to use an electric motor to drive pumps. But they have reliabilty issues and tend to overheat after ong periods of use. How about using a MarkVII fan motor? The should easily able to handle the constant use. And 40amps should be able to run a water pump.

Just another thought.

Later
Steve

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66 327 Malibu (Written off Sept 1 2002 Hopefully can save)
86 V8 S10 Blazer 4x4
"Rice Eating Pony Killer"

ttt