68 Coronet RT
68 GTS # 508 in Registry
Has anyone used either one of these water pumps on their small block ? Just wondering if one is better than the other
FlowKooler or Milodon water pump
- Thread starter 68 Coronet RT
- Start date
-
MOPAROFFICIAL
Oogliboogli
Probably close to the same. But check their sites for specs.
Really...those are designed to fix or anticipate a couple issues or weak points..like very high rpm cavitation, extra volume, maybe a better bearing.
Stock 8 blade impeller is more than enough when the cooling system is properly sized and holding pressure.
QuickDart360
Well-Known Member
I currently use an 8 blade mopar performance unit. So far works great.
I just bought one of these but haven’t run it yet. Water Pump PRW Industries 1431800 - Pace Performance Parts
It for sure looks superior to what I took off. Was told the one I took off was a high flow but don’t know for sure. It’s an 8 blade with no anticavatation plate on it and at higher rpms my temp would creep up. I got real lucky on the PRW, found it on eBay for $67 bucks and 15% off. Figured for that money it was worth the risk. It’s the exact same as the Edelbrock version that is big bucks.
I thought I read somewhere that the PRW is better at higher rpm and the flow cooler is better at low speed, stop and go driving. I also went with this thermostat in this post I started and would probably swap it before the water pump and see what happens.
Thermostat comparison
rustycowll69
Well-Known Member
I've installed both, at the request of customers, and I didn't see any difference in operation. They were chosen perhaps more for prevention, rather than to address an evident/ongoing problem, so there was no noticeable "improvement".
68 Coronet RT
68 GTS # 508 in Registry
I looked at the PRW water pumps and they don't make one for early LA engines with the bottom hose on the driver side
66340SEDAN
FABO Member #3649
I use a Flowkooler on my 340’s....one didn’t last long, about 5 years or so but my car never ran hot...never had cooling issues, just figured it would help to have it.
I installed a Flowkooler on the 429 SCJ in my Cobra replica, about 10 years ago. operation has been flawless.
340sFastback
Well-Known Member
Flowkooler on my small block stroker been on there 10 years now. I like it. At the time I was looking it was the only brand with the '69 and back lower hose orientation.
Brent765
New Member
I used a flow cooler for years on my small block Chevy, same pump went on a couple different motors, never had any issues and kept my motor cool even on 90+ degree days.
68 Coronet RT
68 GTS # 508 in Registry
I found the issue with the cooling system and will not be needing the pump. The stock pump works fantastic once I removed the obstruction in the lower radiator hose and replaced my original radiator. Some coolant was getting by but not enough to cool the engine. That wasn't the only issue though, the original radiator had been repaired by the previous owner but it leaked and was really plugged up with crap. I tried numerous flushes but they didn't remove any of the crud plus it leaked. For the cost of a re-core I got a Direct Fit Cold Case radiator and I was able to attach my factory shroud to the radiator. Granted it hasn't been hot here yet but we did have a 78 degree day and I took it out for a hard ride and she never got above 180 were as with the old radiator and the lower hose obstruction she always ran 215 to 220 in less than 10 minutes of driving. One down a few more items on the list to go.
grimreaper
Cross Member
I have used Flowkoolers on my early As for several years and had good experiences with them.
Many years ago I worked at a NAPA store and an older semi-retired gentleman was also working there part time. He had, in the past, worked for Gm, Ford and Chrysler and was sort of a cooling engineer. He moved to town with Detroit Diesel and was their cooling specialist before coming to the NAPA store. One day I asked him a question about water pumps for V8 Mopars and I started receiving a cooling lesson for about an hour after work for several days. One day we went to the water pump section in the NAPA store and took down all of the water pumps for LA mopars. There were six Rayloc rebuilds and two Balkamp new ones. He measured the depth of the impellar on each of them finding quite a range. Even the two new ones were quite different. He explained that LA Mopars use the timing cover as the rear flow control for their impellars. Those pumps with the impellar pressed on further than specified would not provide designed output. He also told me that in the days when he was involved with race cars they would cut a metal disc and braze it to the back of the impellar to ensure proper coolant flow. The next day he brought in a few different impellars that he had used for training over the years. The ones he claimed to be best had a full round disc on the back of each one. Well, years later I saw that Flowkooler was using the type of impellar he suggested so I got one and it worked well. Ive been using them ever since.
Many years ago I worked at a NAPA store and an older semi-retired gentleman was also working there part time. He had, in the past, worked for Gm, Ford and Chrysler and was sort of a cooling engineer. He moved to town with Detroit Diesel and was their cooling specialist before coming to the NAPA store. One day I asked him a question about water pumps for V8 Mopars and I started receiving a cooling lesson for about an hour after work for several days. One day we went to the water pump section in the NAPA store and took down all of the water pumps for LA mopars. There were six Rayloc rebuilds and two Balkamp new ones. He measured the depth of the impellar on each of them finding quite a range. Even the two new ones were quite different. He explained that LA Mopars use the timing cover as the rear flow control for their impellars. Those pumps with the impellar pressed on further than specified would not provide designed output. He also told me that in the days when he was involved with race cars they would cut a metal disc and braze it to the back of the impellar to ensure proper coolant flow. The next day he brought in a few different impellars that he had used for training over the years. The ones he claimed to be best had a full round disc on the back of each one. Well, years later I saw that Flowkooler was using the type of impellar he suggested so I got one and it worked well. Ive been using them ever since.
The Flowkooler pumps may have a problem depending on how the disk is attached to the impeller. If they are pop riveted on, the rivets will get worn and come loose. Best to remove the rivets and tack weld before the plate detaches!!!
Jim
Jim
-
