Running Hot With New Set Up

[JJ in Cbus]

I installed power steering in my MK3.1 this winter and now I am working out the kinks of this install. So far the power steering is great. I just had one minor leak on the return hose that I forgot to tighten up. I am enjoying the ability to steer into a parking spot one handed now.

But... when I added the power steering pump I had to change my water pump from a standard rotation to a reverse rotation pump. It is now running off the backside of the serpentine belt. Before I never had an issue with the engine running hot once I got it burped. I have gone through twice now burping the air out of the cooling system, but my engine is still running hot at idle and at constant cruise RPM. When I run through the gears and keep the RPMs up the temp comes back down to 95°C, but when I get up to speed and cruise at a constant 1800 RPM the temp goes up to 110°C. This is leading me to think the water pump I bought from Rock Auto is not moving enough water at the lower RPMs. I bought the suggested pump with the round holes on the backing plate for rev rotation pump on a standard rotation timing cover.

My set up:
5.0 From a 2001 Mountaineer with a Fox Body Timing Cover
Water pump https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=11201033&cc=1133985&pt=2208&jsn=1

I do not know if I am missing something here or if this was the wrong Water Pump or by chance did I get a bad pump?

Running out of ideas, and trying to get this worked out before the London Cobra Show.

Thanks in advance.

jj

[CDXXVII]

I always thought that if you change to reverse rotation on the pump you also need to replace the timing cover to match rotation.

I could be wrong but it’s it’s worth verifying.

Here is some pretty good info. that may help.

www.allfordmustangs.com/threads/are-there-any-difference-between-years-for-timing-covers.114248/

[Jim Doak]

I think you can run a reverse rotation pump on a standard rotation timing cover.

I'm still in the build phase, but I'm running a reverse rotation pump on my BluePrint 302 that has a standard rotation timing cover, and so far, so good after several heat cycles.

One thing to note, I had a belt squeal right at startup. I called March and they recommended tightening the belt. I did and that cured the problem. So, make sure your serpentine belt is pretty tight to ensure it's not slipping on the water pump.

[narly1]

Based on this you might need a different timing cover:

https://support.cvfracing.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058972694-Small-Block-Ford-Tutorial

Earl

[Jim Doak]

Here's a link to a YouTube video from Late Model Restoration regarding the exact same BluePrint engine I'm running with a standard rotation timing cover running a reverse rotation water pump.

Seems to work for them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmIxumRd0ck

Also, you're running a Fox body timing cover and I believe that most, if not all, Fox bodies ran reverse rotation water pumps.

[JNC]

Pardon me for asking the obvious, but did you swap out the grooved water pump pulley for a smooth pulley?

[rich grsc]

Based on this you might need a different timing cover:

https://support.cvfracing.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058972694-Small-Block-Ford-Tutorial

Earl
There is no reason to change the timing cover. It will work with either direction pump

[Jeff Kleiner]

Jim and Rich are correct. Yes, the covers are different however it is only the orientation of the coolant passages and does not affect or change the flow. Most replacement pumps now use a back sheet metal cover plate which is compatible with either. If you get a mismatched pump and timing cover it will be obvious because it’ll leak. Also, the pulley bolt circle is different on reverse and standard rotation pumps so theoretically it should not be possible to install a smooth pulley intended for a reverse rotation pump on a standard rotation pump which requires a grooved pulley.

Jeff

[JNC]

The aftermarket world made it possible a long time ago.

214319

[JJ in Cbus]

HI All, sorry work got busy and have not been able to make it back here till now. I am running the smooth water pump pulley, running off the back side of the serpentine belt. I did get to work on it a little last night. I was able to burp the system a little more and got just under another pint of water into the system. I ran the car around the block a few times to warm it up and the temp came up to 95°C and the fan came on as it should(it was not before) and all appeared to be good. I took it for a short drive, all good there running between 90°C and 95°C. When I got back to my neighborhood and slowed down to 25mph the temps started going up again to 105°. I have never had a lot of trouble burping this engine before. I am now wondering if changing the pump is now making the process more difficult? I will see if I can squeeze a little more water in after this last heat cycle? I will get a chance Saturday to spend some time on this. I will report back after then.

Thanks All.

jj

[Railroad]

Did you change the water pump pulley diameter?

[bobl]

HI All, sorry work got busy and have not been able to make it back here till now. I am running the smooth water pump pulley, running off the back side of the serpentine belt. I did get to work on it a little last night. I was able to burp the system a little more and got just under another pint of water into the system. I ran the car around the block a few times to warm it up and the temp came up to 95°C and the fan came on as it should(it was not before) and all appeared to be good. I took it for a short drive, all good there running between 90°C and 95°C. When I got back to my neighborhood and slowed down to 25mph the temps started going up again to 105°. I have never had a lot of trouble burping this engine before. I am now wondering if changing the pump is now making the process more difficult? I will see if I can squeeze a little more water in after this last heat cycle? I will get a chance Saturday to spend some time on this. I will report back after then.

Thanks All.

jj

Are you sure the fan was running on this last test when it overheated? Can you manually turn the fan on to verify? Also, what temp is your thermostat? You might get you a temp gun to help figure it out.

Bob