Water Pump Replacement

[jmesh]

I'm considering the purchase of a 1967 Elan that needs a new water pump. Otherwise, the car is purported to be in good shape.

I'm wondering how much I should budget for replacement of the old waterpump with a Dave Bean cartridge model. I'm in the US and labor costs should be in the $60-80/hour range.

Anything else that should be done at the same time?

Thanks,

Jason

[mac5777]

Jason,
I just replaced a new water pump that was installed incorrectly as it failed, under warranty, in less than 1500 miles. The new replacement pump did not match up and was damaged trying to install it. That is when I purchased Dave Bean's cartridge kit. And if and when the pump fails again, I will not have to remove the engine. Rich Kamp knows how to install the water pumps with the right unit and they won't fail prematurely if done right. He is located at Infineon raceway in Sonoma CA. 707-933-8039
He can give you the info that you are wanting. He may help depending where you live. You may want to check out Golden Gate Lotus Club, they have info on pump replacement. www.gglotus.org
If you have to remove the engine you might check other things out that can be inspected with the engine out. Others with more experience than I may suggest what could or should be looked at. $60.00 to $80.00 an hour,,, where do you live???
Sarto

[jmesh]

Thanks for the input. I'd like to get as much done as possible while the car is in the shop. Perhaps this would be a good time to make some improvements to other parts of the cooling system and maybe the head. Probabaly also add an alternator, superstarter and electronic ignition. Much of the other bits of the car were recently gone through (I hope).

I should have mentioned that I live in Colorado. Kampena has a great reputation but I think the transport would be a bit prohibitive!

Jason

[mac5777]

Hi Jason,
All of the items that you intend to do, I have done all of them and you will be glad you did. I took off the fan and added two electric fans and left room for the hood spring in the middle. When the 1st fan came on it would sound like a jet engine. The second fan would come only if the temp got up there. I installed a elec. device that turned on both fans at the same time, spreading the cooling surface. The device starts both fans at a low rate that is much quieter and speeds up if needed.
Marc Fuller is from Colorado and has a great website and he has addressed the water pump and other things. He would be a good man to talk to. I don't have his address with me now. Others my help.
Sarto

[chicagojeff]

Jason,
I recently did a complete engine overhaul once I got into replacing a failing water pump. It's gonna be expensive, but if you are committed to the car, it's much cheaper over the next 5-10 years to do it all now. consider the valves, gaskets, cylinder boring (or condition, like scoring), stems and guides, etc.

I am not going to lie to you--the work is tricky, expensive, and you'll want someone who really knows the TwinCam, not someone who has just done a lot of old british cars.

jeff
67 S3 coupe

[twincamman]

I'm just waiting for my water pump to fail again and am going to replace it with a cartridge type ---ed