Cobra Water Pump "Upgrade"?

J

jbelcourt

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Been researching a bit and I just want some clarification on this swap.

1) Is it the "short" build or the "long" build?
2) Do you re-use your pulley when you swap the pump out?
3) Motorcraft or bust?

I've found a few on eBay, and wouldn't mind some opinions.

Used Ford Pump

Bosch 97116

Off Brand


I don't want to spend much, otherwise I'd go for the Edelbrock 8804
 
If you get the "long" one you can just install it and use your existing pulley. It was a mid year 2001 change to short for most cars. This page has pictures of the different pulleys for the different length pumps: http://www.americanmuscle.com/water-pump-pulley-identification.html

I don't think you can find the old style open vane water pump impeller type anymore, all pumps that Motorcraft sell are the closed vane Cobra style.

Motorcraft is 100 bucks new, those used ones seem like a good deal, but I am not sure what nose you need, if the large one is okay with your pulley or not, I can't remember if we have the large or the small center, or what yours might have as being different from my 97(s).

I have never replaced a water pump in a 4.6 that actually needed it. I swapped the one on my 97 Cougar when I did the PI intake swap with the Cobra style (back in 2005 they still sold the open vane style pumps, so you had to get the Cobra one). I have 255,000 on my 2000 Grand Marquis and haven't touched the water pump.

With as easy as it is to swap the pump, I wouldn't worry about the slightly used ones, just curious as to what the one you get actually is like.
 
Thanks for the nice write up. Yeah, I'm not too certain which style I need either. I assume the used ones will work just fine but I'm worried as to if I can use my pulley or if I'll have to buy another one or not (if you can even use a different one).

If anyone else can chime in also, that would be great.

It seems the used ones are my best option at this point, to get a genuine Ford part and it's under $50.


EDIT-

According to that article you linked "Mid-way through the production run for the 2001 model year Ford changed the design of the water pump on the 4.6L engine. The older style pump produced from 1996 to mid-2001 had a longer shaft. In January of 2001 the design of the pump was changed to a shorter shaft. This necessitated a change in the design of the pump pulley.

I would assume that means, since I have the "bowed out" style pulley, I need the longer shaft water pump. If I understand that correctly.
 
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