WATER PUMPS
On V-8 cars with the serpentine belt, an aluminum reverse-rotation water pump
was installed at the factory. In 1985, a revised water pump with a larger impeller
was phased in to improve coolant circulation. A year later, a redesigned pump with
a smaller, more efficient impeller and new housing, replaced it. This design lasted
through the end of production in 1993. Four-cylinder and V-6 Fox Mustangs each
have a different design of water pump and are not interchangeable with each other
or V-8 cars. Water pumps aren’t usually problematic on Foxes, though if the Mustang
has been sitting for extended periods or the coolant not regularly flushed, they can
start to weep, from corrosion or seals drying up. Studs can also break off when trying
to replace the pump, so it’s a good idea to use some WD40 and a bit of finesse when
removing the old pump.
A number of aftermarket vendors offer replacement water pumps for all Fox
Mustang engines, though the 5.0 cars have by far the widest selection. Popular
vendors include Ford Racing Performance Parts, Edelbrock, FlowKooler, and Tuff
Stuff Performance. Many are high-flow designs, boosting circulation especially at
lower rpm. They’re great for modified engines and