Can I replace my old metal water pump with Aluminum water pump?

[Marina Bay]

Dear All,

Can any one help me buying my water pump assembly, the original replacement part is metal make and I got after market water pump which it is made out Aluminum, every one here tells me to install Aluminum one as it is no chance of rust and its cooling is better than metal, is this right or I should install the original quick silver part?

Thank you

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can I replace my old metal water pump with Aluminum water pump?

Dear All,

Can any one help me buying my water pump assembly, the original replacement part is metal make and I got after market water pump which it is made out Aluminum, every one here tells me to install Aluminum one as it is no chance of rust and its cooling is better than metal, is this right or I should install the original quick silver part?

Thank you

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Whatcha workin' on,..?? The circulating water pump,..??

Saltwater, or freshwater,..??

Automotive water pumps don't hold up very well in marine applications....


Btw,.... Both cast iron, 'n aluminum are Metals......
The impeller in the aluminum pump is probably stamped steel, 'n the 1 in the cast iron pump, will be cast iron...

 

[Marina Bay]

Re: Can I replace my old metal water pump with Aluminum water pump?

So I can understand you dont support the idea of using Aluminum pumps,

I'm gonna use it on saltwater.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Can I replace my old metal water pump with Aluminum water pump?

You haven't answered the question of which pump you are talking about... but no, saltwater and aluminum do not play well together.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Can I replace my old metal water pump with Aluminum water pump?

So I can understand you dont support the idea of using Aluminum pumps,

I'm gonna use it on saltwater.

If you are talking about the raw water pump (like on a Bravo), I have never seen an aluminum one. Brass, bronze and stainless steel, yes, aluminum, no.

IF you are talking about the water circ pump on the engine, then an after market aluminum water pump usually has a stamped steel impeller, which will go MIA in short time if used in saltwater. Plus, the aluminum will probably turn into a blob of corrosion pretty fast if not designed for salt water (and it won't be). Those aluminum ones, like folks find in Jegs and Summit racing for the SB Chevy's and such, were never intended to be used in boats. They are designed as merely a weight saving measure for racing engines. Will not hold up being used in salt water.

That is unless you have a closed cooling system (antifreeze in the tank/engine) on the engine, then the aluminum will work just fine.

Stick with the marine grade water pumps. You'll be glad you did, in the long run. My marine grade has been used in fresh and salt and is 20+ years old w/ over 1300 hours on it and still works fine. (Will probably crap out now that I have stated that. My bad.....)