Flathead V-8
Drake’s Water Pumps
Performance Engineered for Maximum Coolant Flow
SHAFT We increased the shaft
diameter from Ford’s 1/2" to 5/8" adding more stability and increased wear features.
PUMP SHAFT BEARINGS Each pump shaft is press-fitted with two modern double row ball bearings for reduced friction and heat and for super long pump life. Ford’s original bronze bushings don’t even compare.
1937-48 Car & 1937-47 Pickup WATER PUMPS
Perfect for any original or hopped-up flatheads. Fits 85, 95 & 100 Horsepower models.
MAIN BODY & PULLEY No more rusty steel castings to deal with. We made all new tooling to give you the best rust-free internal flow. All mounting surfaces are machined for fitting accuracy.
78-8501/2 $125.00 pair Includes gaskets.
The Time Has Come to Beat the Heat ... In my decades of driving and working on old Fords, I’ve heard many tales told by fellow Ford enthusiasts about improving the flathead’s cooling system. Tricks like “Take your water pumps off and grind-off every other impeller fin” or “Fit thermostats into the hose necks” or “Put flat washers in the heads to restrict the water flow.” are a small sampling of the many advocated methods to turn heat-plagued flatheads into cool runners. Studying flathead engines and the design and evolution of its water pump variants, I learned that Ford redesigned the impellers on the 1949 and later pumps to improve coolant flow and lower engine temperature. I also discovered that later truck and commercial flatheads had water pumps with larger shafts, better seals and improved bearings that surpassed the simple bushings of early passenger car pumps. Reflecting on these findings (and considering the ample cooling ability of Ford’s radiators), I knew the quest to lower the flathead’s temperature is in the water pump – to increase the pump’s water flow while gaining longer pump life through superior internal components. I’d compiled my list of upgrades and made my own improved versions for our inquiring customers. Now with thousands of Drake’s pumps out in the early Ford world, we have not received one complaint related to overheating. When you buy our pumps, I personally guarantee you’re getting the best water pumps ever made for your Ford. My name is on it.
Drake’s new impellers feature an 8-fin perfect helix configuration for maximum coolant flow at all RPM ranges
Original Ford 6-straight-fin impeller
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