What SBF used aluminum versus cast iron water pump?

The timing cover for a 88 5.0 is reverse flow. You will need to change it.

Originally Posted by retyler

The timing cover for a 88 5.0 is reverse flow. You will need to change it.

Did Ford change the flow of the coolant on the 5.0's? I knew they changed the rotation direction of some of the serpentine belt water pumps but I wasn't aware that the flow was reversed? Is like the LT-1?

Some of the mid 80's big mercurys and crown vics had standard rotation pumps but with a multi-rib belt....and those were mostly aluminum housings. But the inlet was on the wrong side for the application that the OP needs.

Originally Posted by Frank

I know there are several different timing covers out there. This is an 88 5.0 HO I am building for a 28 Ford roadster pickup, but I am using a 65 Mustang radiator. I don't want to run a serpentine system. I had no idea the water pumps had different bolt patterns. I thought it was just the direction of flow, snout height, and outlet side that differed.

So I need a v-belt water pump, outlet to the right (pass side) that will bolt up to an 88 timing cover. At this point I don't care if its steel or aluminum. I am running an electric FP so I'm not concerned about the lack of a mount for a mech pump.

Ideas?

To get it on the passenger side requires a pump about 68 and earlier. I have used forward and reverse pumps on the same cover with no problem as far as the water pump is concerned. The problem you will have is the timing pointer on those early engines is on the drivers side and often cast into the cover. The balancers were also smaller, the wrong balance, and 3 bolt on the early ones. You could use the 70's v belt pump and run your lower hose back to the other side. Those metal hoses with the rubber ends may be the simple way out of this.

I would recommend an early timing cover/ water pump combo for your application. Like My Two claimed, the early cover is designed to work only w/ the early H2O pump. Find a '62 - '64 Galaxie or Fairlane and grab the cover and pulleys. If you are running an electric fuel pump, no worries about the fuel pump eccentric, just delete it. The H2O pumps are still available new for not a lotta cash. Right side outlet should work w/ the '65 radiator you already have. Also, this timing cover/ H2O pump combo is anywhere from 1/4" to ~ 5/8" shorter than other combos, giving more space between engine and cooling fan. Use the pulleys if you can, the crank pulley is small diameter and is basically a factory reduction pulley. You will need a crank dampener that will accomodate the 3 bolt pulley. Given that you are running a later model HO, you will probably need a 50 oz. imbalance dampener w/ dual pulley bolt pattern. These are readily available from both Jegs and Summit. Since these early cars used generators instead of alternators, while your yarding, grab the alternator brackets off of a '67 -'70 Ford. These brackets work w/ minor alteration on the early pump and locate the alternator low on the right side of the engine. I use this combo pretty regularly. It makes for a simple, clean install that works well. Have fun...

Edelbrock EDL-8841. $169.99. Aluminum replacement for for the early cast iron SBF water pump. You will spend more time, effort, money, and trouble finding and installing old timing covers, pulleys, and balancers for a stocker than $169. Plus, you'll end up with a new quality pump that will last longer than any rebuild you're going to find at the local parts shop. I'm just saying, spend your money wisely. If you want to PM me, I have a new rebuilt aluminum pump for a 65 289 that I'll give you for the price of shipping. It's sitting on the shelf of my garage because I opted for the Edelbrock.
RK