Since I pulled the top end from an '87 Thunderbird HO motor, I have the power steering pump (and alternator) and idler wheel that mounts on the heads. I wish I had the water pump too, but I was short on time and needed to get the heads and intake off the thing before Pull-A-Part closed. I have a few questions: -Will the '87 water pump (newer style with wide filler neck) work on the Maverick? Does it put out higher or lower pressure or anything I should know about? -What amperage were the stock '80s Ford alternators rated at? Is it worth keeping or should I just put the pulley on my GM 1-wire that was already there? -Will the crankshaft pulley from an '88 2.3 (got it from a Mustang) work with this? I'm fairly sure the answer to this is yes. -Do I need a reverse rotation water pump or will it (molt likely) just depend on how I set up my belt(s)? I do not have A/C and I won't be mounting the air pump thingy that came off the Thunderbird.
If you go to the reverse rotation water pump, you also need the later model timing cover to match. What I would do, is go look for a mid 80's T bird or Crown Vic that has the serpentine system, but uses a standard rotation water pump. You will be able to tell it's standard rotation because the water pump pulley will be ribbed, not smooth. I have a 85 T Bird aluminum water pump on mine, the outlet is larger than the old style, so you have to have a hose to match that end. I think it's either 1/8" or 1/4" , can't remember right now which. Pressure should be the same, but it may have more volume due to the larger hose. I'd keep the GM alternator. Much better design IMHO. One wire and you're done.:Handshake
Thanks! I will be going to the local pull-a-part soon then. And yeah, I love the 1-wire, with no Ford voltage regulator to burn out either
You have the correct timing cover if you have a 302 engine right now. My engine has a 88 Tbird front timing cover on, it is identical too the old 302 timing covers, except for the dipstick hole has not been drilled into it, and the mechanical fuel pump has been closed up with a aluminum boss that you can actually knock out and the mechanical fuel pump bolts right up. Heck the engine even had a mechanical fuel pump eccentric installed on the end of the camshaft. So yes the factory serpentine reverse rotation waterpump will bolt right up too the 302 timing cover and work just fine. It is the later ones the early to mid 90's that are different. Next the 2G alternator for the thunderbird is rated at 75 amps If your 1 wire GM isnt rated that high it is something too think about. Also if you want too jump too one of the newer 3G alternators most of the wiring is the same as the 2G wiring. The 2G alternators got a little bit of a bad rep because guys would put huge stereo systems in their cars, and a high voltage ignition and still have all the electrical doo dads going on in the car easily exceeding the 75 amps the alternator put out, and this would cause the alternator too overheat and catch on fire. So if you are planning on a big ignition, and a big stereo you might just want too look at going with a 130 amp 3G alternator from the get go.
