SBC V8 Water Pump Failure, 3 Styles of Pumps Tested BYPASS THERMOSTAT UPDATE Options

[nick mironov]

My Renegade water pump failed yesterday. The pump impeller is stamped steel and the blades all just folded over or sheared off. I understand that the cast impellers are much stronger, but that not all manufacturer's cast models will fit into the Renegade housing. Anybody have experience with cast impeller pumps that will fit into the Renegade housing?

Since there is no bypass in the Renegade system, Renegade instructions are to limit the motor RPM to 3,000, or less, untill the thermostat opens. I have observed this, but the pump still failed after 5,500 miles. Renegade now makes a bypass kit, which I going to try, but I would still like to get a more durable pump.

Nick

[nick mironov]

The Renegade system thermostat with bypass is now installed and operating.

The Wahler thermostat is for a BMW 2002 or 320i. (W0133-1627641 80 deg C / 176 deg F, W0133-1627306 75 deg C / 167 deg F, W0133-1622197 71 def C / 160 deg F)

The thermostat installation is pretty tight at the rear firewall, especially if you still have the acoustic pad. You could probably come up with a different water outlet that will give you more room.

The system vented fairly easily and was pretty mcuh free of air after 3 or 4 runs.

The coolant warms up to operating temperature twice as fast as before. I didn't expect this at all. It must be because the small holes I drilled into the original thermostat for promoting venting and some flow during cold conditions let through some water which ran through the radiator and was cooled. Anyway - a benefit.

Everything works as expected, but we have not had any really warm weather to give the bypass thermostat and new water pump a serious test.