V-8 conversions., Water pump problems. Options

[itsav8]

:toilet: Is anyone else out there with a Renegade kit having as much trouble as I am keeping their water pump from grenading? I have gone through 2 in 2000
miles- the impeller just folds over on its self. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Sammy]

I had the rod simpson pump and it worked just fine, no problems. A little bird (or was that a little brad) told me the renegade and simpson water pumps are both from an early Chrysler big block or something like that, Renegade supposedly modifies the internals a bit for better flow. other than that I beleive they are very similar.

One question: do you have holes drilled in your thermostat?

the chebby conversion water pumps can build a hell of a lot of pressure when the thermostat is closed if you rev up the engine high. On most water pumper cars the heater system has a built in relief valve type of bypass that keeps from overpressuring the system when the thermostat is closed, we don't have that with most chebbie conversions.
If you don't have them I would suggest drilling three or 4 1/8" holes in the outside portion of the thermostat to allow minimum flow when cold and try not to go over 3500 rpm until the thermostat is at least partially open.