Cast or aluminum waterpump?

[fbproject]

Working on my 289 build for my 65fb. Not smart to put a 40yr old waterpump back on so what would be your choice and why? I see engine bolt kits ask cast or alum. Are the bolts different? The 289 will have cast heads with larger valves, edelbrock preformer 289 intake ,autolite 4100 carb, Hipo exhaust manifolds. Thanks for your input.

 

[Midlife]

I may be wrong, but aluminum water pumps were used for early 65 HiPo's and have no backing plate. The cast iron pumps were used for almost everything else.

Nowadays, you can get aluminum water pumps for weight savings, but I would question their use due to corrosion with dissimilar metals, primarily with the fasteners.

 

[johnpro]

The early '65's used an aluminum pump, and the late '65/later used the cast. It all depends on your timing chain cover.

You cannot put an aluminum pump on a cover for a cast pump, and visa versa.

 

[jonward786]

but I would question their use due to corrosion with dissimilar metals, primarily with the fasteners.

?? are you saying putting an aluminum intake onto cast iron heads is also a bad idea?

 

[johnpro]

Nowadays, you can get aluminum water pumps for weight savings, but I would question their use due to corrosion with dissimilar metals, primarily with the fasteners.

I've had an "cast style" aluminum pump on my '66 for at least 7 years now. It was my daily driver for over 4 of them. No problems, as of yet.

Same with my '69, but It's only been built for about 4 years now and only has about 28k miles on it.

 

[Starfury]

I use a "cast style" Weiand aluminum high-flow pump on my 331. Works great, although it works even better with a high-flow thermostat. I actually ground the "Weiand" logo off with a dremel and painted it blue with the motor. You'd have to know what you're looking for to know it's not original.

 

[Jack1966]

I use a "cast style" Weiand aluminum high-flow pump on my 331. Works great, although it works even better with a high-flow thermostat. I actually ground the "Weiand" logo off with a dremel and painted it blue with the motor. You'd have to know what you're looking for to know it's not original.

I went with aluminum heads, intake, water pump, and radiator for the weight savings and added performance. As mentioned above, when painted, it takes a second look to tell the difference.

 

[bluestang]

Nice looking engine cmpt! Looks better than the bare aluminum heads, etc. Biased opinion.