Technical FE Ford aluminum water pumps... which to buy?

Well, I'm looking for reviews/opinions on the various aluminum water pumps for the FE, as well as possible fitment issues. I'll note I'm not unfamiliar with FEs, but I haven't seriously messed with 'em since the mid-70s. There are considerably more choices these days...

Edelbrock is very proud of theirs at almost $400, but what about the less-costly options? Tuff Stuff, PRW and March are the other choices, all at about $160 give or take for non-polished versions. To further muddle things, if I specify a Galaxie body style, the Edelbrock disappears. To add to the confusion, the remaining ones are listed for '61 through '67 full-size only. For even more confusion, if I specify a '60 full-size (which is what I have), all of the aluminum ones disappear, leaving a couple of special-order cast-iron choices only. WTF???

FWIW, a couple of the '61-67 pumps note a specific hub height of 7.56" which I ***ume is different from the others. But how different? Am I going to run into fan/radiator interference with the 'wrong' pump? Will I need to relocate the radiator forward? I'd like to use a clutch fan, so this may be an issue. More Ford pulley madness?

I'm hoping someone with more recent FE experience can clear this up. I've been slowly acquiring the parts for my planned stroker, but with all the recent tariff talk, figure it may behoove me to buy some stuff now before prices take another jump up.

THANKS!

 

And as an additional follow-up, how about fuel pumps? Seems to be three choices: Carter, Holley and Mr. Gasket. They look identical, spec more or less the same and there's only $20 differences in price.

 

I'll flag Jeff Norwell, I know he's dealt with this.... @Jeff Norwell

 

I recently dealt with Tuff Stuff. I found their tech staff to be helpful. They might be able to answer a question about length.

 

Bump....

 

This is interesting. I don't know a lot but over the years of Many F,E's and all in full size the only differences I ran into was the change in threaded boss from Gen to Alt and the latter AC mounts added. None of that as I recall moved the pully hub location. Will be interesting to hear what Jeff says.

 

Hmm, Edelbrock...$400 ?
I'd sooner spend a little more money and go with an electric pump if your belt can byp*** the pump and still work with other drives.
I've been running a 493 inch Chrysler on the street with a very similar pump for a short time. But the previous owner had the pump on the car for about 20 years, and over 4000 miles.

https://www.meziere.com/Products/Co...tric/Ford/Electric-Pump-Ford-FE-Standard.aspx

Mike

 

After some thinking, I think I know why the '60 turns up oddball, I know the '58-59 motors had a different-sized byp*** hose. It was an 11/16" ID, not the later 5/8". The hose was a OEM-only size, you had to buy it from Ford. Too big to get a 5/8 on it, and the 3/4 (the usual backyard fix) was a sloppy fit. The '60 probably still used that size, hence the different pump. Use a later intake, then you can use the later pump.

 

As mention earlier they changed the alternator/gen mounting boss. The pulley stayed in the same place as I modified a later one to fit my 62 as it was half the price.

 

You have probably already been there but some of the pumps and especially Carter give the hub face to mounting surface measurement on Rock Auto.
The Ford parts guru that I know retired a number of years ago as he is the same age I am. His bud hits the cl***ifieds here every day but I don't If he checks the board very often although he has said he saw Something I wrote once in a while.
if you have the original Ford pump I'd be searching the number cast into it.

https://www.cvfracing.com/ford-390-...nt=&mtm_content=pla&mtm_kwd=2365&gad_source=1

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MIr9rGgsvyiwMVx9rCBB03gAbcEAQYBSABEgKKEPD_BwE

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/510...nz96kkrL2lp11aVF2ksZmWuYdvF0vP9A_KqNRBrta7txo

https://www.amazon.com/Top-Street-Performance-HC8053-Finish/dp/B00RZT8E5C?gQT=2

 

I've been running a stewart pump for 60K miles so far and am very happy with it.
https://www.stewartcomponents.com/shop/?brands=ford&engine-type=428-fe&yeartest=not-applicable

 

Edelbrock- $400.00. Wait comes with a one time rectal exam.

 

This Chevy guy says "if Stewart makes an FE water pump.........buy it.

 

I've run Tuff Stuff aluminums and cast irons on all the FEs I've done, and an aluminum version has been on my daily OT F100 for about 100k miles on a pretty stout FE , never had an issue. For mechanical fuel pumps I've used the Carter M4008, but one did give up the ghost right away. Got a replacement under warranty, and it's been trouble free for years.

 

Thanks everyone...

Well, after making a few calls and searching the net for reviews, most of them inconclusive, I think I'm going with a Tuff Stuff pump. Fully US made including the casting and with the same warranty as the Edelbrock (***uming their tech guy didn't lie to me). None of the aluminum pumps are rebuildable. Almost all of the reviews I saw reported some sort of issue on all pumps, most minor where reviews were even available. Frankly, I can't see how Edelbrock justifies their price. And I'm not particularly a fan of their products in any case.

I'm going with aluminum simply because it's lighter and will require less man-handling for installing. Those cast-iron pumps are heavy.... Same design guys that did the intake?

The different hub heights turns out to be a tempest in a teapot. The apparent 'standard' height seems to be 7.578", I saw one with a 7.5" and several at 7.56". So the total variation would be under .030", fairly easily addressed with mounting gasket thickness or a pulley shim if needed.

Again, thanks to all who replied...

 

Thanks for the update to the issue Steve. I think it will help others in the future.