Options for low profile FORWARD rotation water pumps for 302

[rick_brade]

Relevant background info:
Powertrain: 1989 Mustang 5.0
Truck: 1988 Ranger S
Accessories required: Alternator & Waterpump only (AC compressor currently only used as an overweight idler pulley)
Other: Engine is positioned forward more than it probably should be with about 2 inches of clearance between the radiator fins and the pulleys. My lack of planning ahead is making it difficult to squeeze an electric cooling fan behind the radiator.



I'm hoping to simplify my belt drive while simultaneously increasing the space between my pulleys and my radiator.

I'm not sure if it's possible, but I'd like to:

• 1) run a simple 3 pulley serpentine belt
  2) with a forward rotation (ribbed pulley) waterpump and
  3) if possible, use a low profile waterpump

I have seen low profile setups on 302 powered explorers and 94-95 Mustangs, but unfortunately those are all reverse rotation waterpumps, so I can't use a ribbed pulley.

There's lots of 3-pulley forward rotation setups out there, but I can't find any that are low profile.

Any suggestions?

[plowboy34]

what are you calling a ribbed pulley, if it's a pulley for a serpentine belt you can use it. Several on here run the Explorer front accesories and they are serpentine belts. I am not quite sure what you are asking.

[cgrey8]

I would avoid calling the rotation of the water pump forward or backward. Use more explicit wording such as Clockwise or CounterClockWise.

[Teddyzee]

Reverse rotation is the correct term, meaning the waterpump runs off the back of the belt, turning the opposite direction of the crank.

For the OP, I would use the sn95 or Explorer pump. They have different spacing, but both use the same timing cover.
I would then place the alternator where ever you like to get some contact on the WP pulley, just hitting it with the back of the belt.

My belt barely touches the WP pulley with no issues.
I'm using PS, but my alt is upside down...