replacement water pump

[Eric L]

I am replacing my water pump after breaking off a bolt on the thermostat housing, drilling it out then breaking off the "easy" out in the hole... Arghhh!
Is there any real difference in brands of water pumps? Ford sells their remanufactured unit for $230 with a one year warranty and O'Reilly Auto Parts sells their house brand (Master Pro Select) for $150 with a lifetime warranty. AutoZone house brand is Duralast.
Should I put a 203 degree thermostat in?
Why should I replace the original t'stat housing with a billet housing?
Thanks for you feedback,

Eric

[lsmith33]

i jus put in the master pro in about 2 months ago and dont have any problems.

[Ravenwood Ranch]

im interested in this as well

[pjwoolw]

Since your in Texas I doubt the 203 stat would be necessary. I've never had good luck with anything but Motorcraft stats. They have the gasket on the stat now. You will need a new housing. I have only read of the billet housings having leak issues. I wouldn't waste the money myself. Get three allen head bolts. 6mm 1.0 pitch. 5mm allen head. Can't remember the length. Much easier to install. Use anti seize on the bolts. They only need to be torqued to like 15 lbs. So be careful and torque slowly and evenly.
I've heard good things about Airtex built water pumps. Check online for pricing. Northernautoparts? What year is your rig?

[Strokinwith300k]

I just put in a Airtex. I work at advance an that is the brand we sell. Never had any customers complain and mine as well is still goin strong!

[Diesel Nick]

I put the Napa water pump on mine its half the price with a lifetime warranty and no differences....

[weareweird69]

I replaced mine with a FORD Water Pump about two years ago, no problems, AND it came with the bolts that I broke off haha

It was also only about 300-400 dollars. I think the Advance here wanted 250, and they didnt stock it.

[gktm400]

I did a waterpump a couple months ago....97 7.3....it came with a thermosat housing.They say to replace it because the steel to aluminum is not a good match.The new one it came with is steel. Greg

[over200]

I replaced mine about 6 months ago with a ford one I went ahead and replaced the thermostat & housing & hoses also.....Oh and I had tons of fun with one of the bolts breaking off in the front of the block.....Oh and don't let me forget the plastic nipple for the overflow return line that snapped clean off.....I mean WTF would they make the radiator ends out of plastic...Especially on a big HD Deisel!

[TexasR.N.]

Originally Posted by over200

.Oh and don't let me forget the plastic nipple for the overflow return line that snapped clean off.....I mean WTF would they make the radiator ends out of plastic...Especially on a big HD Deisel!

Over 200, I agree plastic parts on a radiator are ridiculous. There is a fix for this. Get a brass nipple, tap out the hole in the radiator, and place the brass nipple in the hole. I don't have the size of the nipple off the top of my head. Maybe someone else knows.

To the OP:
I picked up my last water pump at International. It was approx 230.00. Hind sight being what it is, I wish I'd have gone with the one that has a coolant filter built into it.

Have a happy and safe New Year everyone.

Craig