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Does anybody know if you can put an electric water pump on a 73 B for the cooling system instead of using the mechanical water pump.

Hello Charlie,

I've never heard of such a thing. Doesn't sound practical. What electric water pump were you hoping to adapt? Tell us more!

I was hoping that I could install an electric pump so that I get more hp to the wheels.

Not unless you are capable of adapting one. http://www.meziere.com/displaycategory.aspx?id=244,352

I suspect if it were practicle it would have been done. I don't think its practicle. IMHO. Some race guys shave fins or clip every other one. I also suspect the load you eliminate is probably equal to the load you are placeing on the alternator to make the power to drive the electrics....FWIW

The power has to come from somewhere so you will be putting more load on your alternator. I doubt you will be able to feel a difference.

I don't see this as a good swap and I think you hate it in the end for the reasons already mentioned. Standard water pumps in standard applications work fine. You can gain your hp in other areas much easier.

Probably messing with carbs and porting the head is the simplest, most cost-effective way to make any real gains in horsepower. There are, of course, lots of other ways to do it, too...

I think some of the V8 crowd experimented with electric pumps. I think one was even tested in one of the V8 conversion books, but if I remember correctly that problem was that the pumps that were available at the time were not designed to run continuously for years at a time. I think that the racing pumps had life expectancies measured in a certain number of hours that would allow them to last for several seasons of racing but not very long on a continuously driven street car.
Things may have changed since then so that may not be a concern with the electric pumps being sold today.

Charlie
I don't know how much HP will be gained, but how about getting rid of the mechanical fan? Move the radiator front forward like the later models and put an electric puller fan behind it. Just food for thought. Parts are easily attainable.
Ken

Charlie

No reason why it couldn't be done. You would have to fabricate a block off for the pump housing, then figure out a new way to run the drive belts. Plus deal with the cooling fan issue.

When you were done, the difference in performance would probably be due to your pocket book being lighter.


As noted, there are a lot better places to be looking to spend your time and energy.

kelvin

HAHA

From the early fifties :: Cam,,,Carbs ,,Compression !

Like someone said, the most you would gain working on the cooling system would be by replacing the belt driven fan with an electric puller fan & thermostatic switch. Most modern cars use this method for cooling & you might gain as much as one horsepower or so @ full throttle. However if it's barstool racing we're talking about I'll admit it's pretty cool & I believe some Saabs use or used electric water pumps.

Keep the pump and ditch the bladed fan for an electric one.

That will save HP.