Classic Mustangs List Archive

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Mail From: (email redacted) (Columbo Ron-P19467)

>Date: Mon, 07 Oct 2002 20:29:01 -0500
>From: Tad Anhalt <(email redacted)>
>
>Cast iron vs. aluminum water pumps:
>
> All the catalogs show that the correct water pump for '65 289
>mustangs as an aluminum casting (with a cast iron timing cover).

Tad, it's the other way around. All the timing covers are aluminum. Pumps can be aluminum or cast iron. The pump *must* have the correct type timing cover; they will not interchange.

Either set will work on a 289 unless it is a 5-bolt block. In that case, only the aluminum pump and unique aluminum timing cover (which has a different outline from the other two) will work.

Hope this helps,
Ron Columbo
64-1/2 Conv
65 GT FB
65 FB
70 Mach I

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Mail From: (email redacted) ((email redacted))

In a message dated 10/8/2002 1:04:33 PM, (email redacted) writes:

<< Pumps can be aluminum or cast iron. The pump *must* have the correct type=
=20
timing cover; they will not interchange. >>

just to add my 2=A2.....

mine has an iron pump with a backing plate. a pump without a backing plate=20
(aluminun pumps)will not work because the timing cover has a small gap in th=
e=20
gasket surface at the bottom.=20
i had the same idea , using the aluminun pump because it would look=20
cool....until i noticed the gap in the gasket surface in the timing cover. i=
=20
guess one may be able to fill the gap with silicone , but i didnt trust it.=20
maybe i am missing something too though....are there other reasons why=20
they will not interchange??

Jason

This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: (email redacted) (Columbo Ron-P19467)

>From: (email redacted)
>
>Date: Wed, 9 Oct 2002 16:18:33 EDT
>just to add my 2=A2.....
>
>mine has an iron pump with a backing plate. a pump without a backing plate=20
>(aluminun pumps)will not work because the timing cover has a small gap in the
> gasket surface at the bottom.
> i had the same idea , using the aluminun pump because it would look=20
>cool....until i noticed the gap in the gasket surface in the timing cover.
> i guess one may be able to fill the gap with silicone , but i didnt trust it.=20
> maybe i am missing something too though....are there other reasons why=20
>they will not interchange??

>Jason

Yep, you may have missed the different bolt-on pattern. For the cast iron pump, there are two bolt holes inboard towards the pump shaft that aren't there with the aluminum pump setup. Conversely, the aluminum pump/timing cover setup has a bolt hole or two at the bottom of the gasket surface, where you notice the gap in the cast iron pump/timing cover combo.

Regards,
Ron Columbo
Chandler, AZ
64-1/2 Conv
65 GT FB
65 FB
70 Mach I