Im about to swap in a 350 with vortec heads in place of my 305. Its an 88 and i've heard that the vortec's require a water pump which is the opposite directions of stock

anyone know if my stock pump will work, or do i need to get a specific one?

Thanks

 

I'm very confused by your statement about heads requiring reverse flow. The water pump pushes coolant into the block. It then goes into the heads from there and back to the radiator via the intake manifold. As long as all the passeges are connected and feed back to the intake, then I see no problem.
Please someone correct me if I'm off and explain if this is not so.
Hope to see more input on this question.

good luck
ODB

 

please don't take my post as advice because I have never run the vortech heads.
I just want to find out too and clear the confusion I have,
thanks
ODB

 

You need a reverse flow water pump because you have serpetine belts which makes the water pump turn backwards, not because of the Vortec heads.

 

thanks for clearing that up superman. I guess i didnt word my question quite right.

Thanks again

 

Hang on a sec...

You can run the stock pump on your 88, its reverse rotation not reverse flow. I think the vortec engines are reverse flow but I havent heard about anyone who is running the vortecs having a concern about that. The cooling system isnt setup for reverse flow anyway, so dont do that.

 

Vortecs are regular flow, I've never fully understood what the deal was w/ that, but they are basically just a standard flow, slightly tweaked iron version of the LT1 head. Apparently you can't run a reverse flow head on a standard flow block and vice versa, which I don't really understand why. Someone want to clue us in?

I run the Stewart Components Stage I pump, and am very happy w/ it. Runs much cooler than the stock replacement crap pumps that I had always used before. The standard finish one runs like $69 I think. I have a 87 which still had the vbelt setup, not the serp, so mine is standard rotation. I assume they sell both. Only place I know of to buy them at is directly from their website: www.stewartcomponents.com

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Ray87Z
-Vortec headed 350.
86 IROC w/ a cammed 305 TPI.
Formerly Ray86IROC.
www.inter-scape.com/Ray

[This message has been edited by Ray87Z (edited February 09, 2001).]

 

In simpler terms, get a normal long SBC water pump for an 88.

[This message has been edited by Macgyver (edited February 10, 2001).]

 

The reverse flow coolant system (Used on LT1 and LT4 motors) was designed to help power by reducing the tendency for detonation by cooling the heads first, then the block. Their entire cast-in structure is totally different. Vortec heads were designed around the LT* narrow raised port but the cooling passages were adapted to the older regular flow. Surprisingly GM ditched this reverse crap because of the problems of bleeding air pockets out of the system.

 

FK,

Mac is right - get a later TPI water pump.

And Joel is right, the Vortec heads are adapted from the port design of the LT1/4 system, but not the cooling system. The LT1/4 is significantly different, and is a PITA to bleed. I've found a way around that, though. Just hold a wheelie for about four blocks and top off the radiator.

Actually, if you ever have occasion to refill one, I had a be-otch of a time until I found out that keeping the front end on high jack stands helps to purge air as you fill. After the initial fill, practice constant monitoring and topping off at the expansion tank for about a week, and you're set to go.

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Later,
Vader
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"No matter how hard you try you can't stop us now..."
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