Electric water pump drive problem
 

I have had a Moroso electric water pump drive on my SBF stocker for a couple of years, no problems. This last weekend in Phoenix I burned up two 10 amp drive motors. Obviously they exceeded the max amperage.
I had a 15 amp fuse in line but it didn’t blow, not sure why. I’m using 12 gauge wire.

I figured there may be too much drag on the electric motor so I removed the fan and water pump. I have a 16 inch plastic flex fan installed on the water pump also. I called Moroso and they informed me that their drive kit is not designed to use a fan. Oops.

The water pump seemed to have a lot of resistance when turning the hub. I took the pump to a parts store and compared it to a new one out of the box, they felt the same but I didn’t have anyway to measure them other by feel.

I reinstalled the w\p and fan with my spare drive motor and measured the amperage draw when running, I bypassed the fuse to test.

First with the fan, no coolant. 16.8 amps. Removed the fan, 6.5 amps just driving the w/p. I would have never guessed it. Then added coolant into the system, still without the fan, 8.5 amps. Total draw with fan, pump and coolant is 18.8 amps. Way over the 10 amp capability of the motor.

Not sure if the w/p drag is the problem or not.
May have to find a higher amperage drive motor or add an electric fan.

Anyone have similar experiences?

Kelly

Re: Electric water pump drive problem
 

I had the exact same set up with a metal flex fan for 10 plus years on my bracket car and never had a problem. I, like you discovered recently that having it drive the fan is a no-no.

Re: Electric water pump drive problem
 

Kelly, do you have a new or used water pump? On my own 302 Ford, I found a new water pump had quite a bit of drag, so I installed a used pump, which spun much easier. As for a fan, considering the electric water pump drive doe not spin all that fast anyhow, I doubt a mechanical fan on the water pump would spin fast enough to very effective, so I went with an electric fan instead. Also, its not good to have the toothed belt very tight, as it can lead to premature wear of the electric motor. By the way, the electric motor used by most drive kits, is a Ford heater fan motor, same as most 70s Ford cars and trucks.

Re: Electric water pump drive problem
 

We have never had any issue.....We have a Alum. fan on several of our
cars. be sure belt is not very tight. Our Mopar pumps turn very easy or
we replace them. we run 14 tooth pulley instead of standard 10 tooth.

Re: Electric water pump drive problem
 

Most of the Drag you feel on the new pumps without fulid is the seal creating the Drag.

Re: Electric water pump drive problem
 

Yep, I understand that most modern water pumps use mechanical seals. The pump was new when installed.
I always keep the belt loose.

Re: Electric water pump drive problem
 

I’ve used an electric water pump drive with a small aluminum flex fan for years. Never had a problem. I believe Moroso offers a different drive pulley that will change the pump speed.

Re: Electric water pump drive problem
 

Kelly I have a new Moroso motor in a box I would sell cheap. I live north Phoenix and work central Phoenix.

Re: Electric water pump drive problem
 

You can get a motor that has 4 posts with 2 of them being the same center to center as the Moroso 2 post motor but is a more powerful permanent magnet motor from W. L. Walker 918-583-3109 or wlwalker.com


The part number is 18051. This is the company I work for. We sell stuff to test measure or sample oil but I used this motor on a few friend's water pump and they run much faster also. Depending on the input voltage they will run 2100-2250 rpm. It has the same 5/16" shaft. Just grind down the 2 posts that you don't need. Just an option to consider. Looks like they are about $11 more than the Moroso motor.



https://i.imgur.com/KGPgfHUl.jpg


Curtis

Re: Electric water pump drive problem
 

I use a plastic fan from summit, super lite and pull some air through radiator. with my moroso water pump kit