Ford 302 Water Pump Reverse Flow vs Standard Flow and how to make them work!

In this video I explain how to mate a standard rotation water pump to a reverse flow timing cover on the ford 302.

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

I finally ran this a few days ago and no issues with leaks or heat. I am running an almost stock setup though so I can’t speak for higher hp applications. Here’s a list on what you’ll need: -81-91 crown Vic 302 water pump (it is standard rotation) -87-92 Ford Mustang 302 water pump (for the backing plate) -You can also buy the circle backing plate separately, but all the ones I found were the same price as just buying the mustang pump ($30) so which one you get is your choice. Thank you for the support in the video too, I did not expect this to do well, hopefully it helped.

[@rongann1955]

I am going to give the stock pump a try. I am trying to go serpentine belt. The engine is original. Thanks for replying.

[@BlueOvalEdge]

Thanks for your video. I use a standard rotation timing cover with the GMB High Performance Water Pump 125-1560P which is reverse flow with outlet on the driver side. It has the "circular" holes in the backing plate which is supposed to work with either a reverse or standard flow timing cover. The timing cover's D-shaped openings are indeed a pain to match up especially if you are trying to use a reverse flow WP on a standard flow TC. You may note that the expensive Edelbrock 8840 reverse flow WP also uses a backing plate with circular (not D-shaped) holes.

[@Ford_forlife]

You definitely saved me I been messing with mine for too long damn long

[@refugiorod]

I switched my pulley brackets of a 92- 97 f150 to my 1987. It gave me the ability to convert my alternator to a 130amp and my steering pump to a saginaw pump.

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

I might look into that if my power steering isn’t enough I was able to find a 100 amp alt to work on this setup

[@rongann1955]

I have a couple of questions if you could please. 1. What year is your 302? 2. Why did you not use the Mustang water pump instead of just using it the backing plate? 3. Is the CV water pump longer, which made the belt alignment better? I have a 75 Bronco that I am as well trying to piece the parts together. I have limited front distance to the radiator to the pump flange. You did a great job. Thanks

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

The 302 came out of an 87 econoline, the mustangs pump was a reverse rotation water pump in those years so it was not going to work with my pulley setup, and yes the cv water pump is a good bit longer at the snout, it lined up to my crank and ps pulley almost perfect but is really tight in a ranger engine bay, I got this from a hodge podge of junkyard stuff so none of my accessories matched so was hard, for a 75 bronco your water pump should be standard flow too, if you have the bronco timing cover your best bet is to get the original bronco water pump

[@rongann1955]

@Shady Tree Kustomz I more question: Did you go with the Crown Victoria pump due to your radiator bottom hose was on the driver side?

[@joemamastinks1611]

A1 Cardonen Reman w.pump #28-225 is standard rotation.

[@mikecodester]

thanks dude

[@jasonhastings5538]

Im wanting to run something like this in my foxbody! My plan is to just run the water pump and alt thats all! Thought about an electric pump or a vbelt setup!

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

Vbelt would work, if you can find some mid 80s crown Vic accessories (what mine are) you can remove the power steering easily and be able to run just the things you want with a serpentine

[@gamer_clan1785]

Where did you get your alternator bracket ? And power steering bracket?

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

It’s from an 83-91 crown Victoria/grand marquie just has the smog crap deleted

[@matthewjohnson2495]

What year model water pump is the new standard flow water pump that you are showing and what vehicle does it supposed to go to? I have a 1999 GT40P motor but I’m using 70’s v-belt pullies cause that’s the factory style that matches my truck and I don’t want a old style cast iron water pump

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

The reverse flow one goes on 87-92 ford trucks with the 302. F150, econloline, f250, etc, any truck that has a 302 of those years. You will need a new timing cover as the 1999 style is completely different to all these water pumps, thank you ford. The standard flow is from an 81-91 crown Vic with the 302

[@matthewjohnson2495]

@@shadytreekustomz6268 can I use the 71-91 crown Vic pump on the 99 mountaineer 302 so I will have standard rotation to work with the rest of my accessories that’s v-belt?

[@matthewjohnson2495]

The motor is rebuilt and I put the timing chain cover off off a 94 Windsor that’s on the GT40P motor now to be sure the double roller timing chain didn’t rub the cover. The GT40 cover was thinner than the Windsor cover. I don’t have nothing against running a serpentine belt it’s the big goofy brackets that I don’t like that cover up the front of the motor

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

@@matthewjohnson2495 81-91 pump not 71, the 94 timing cover will not work with the pump, after 1992 ford went to a completely different wp style that does not interchange with the other previous years, you will have to go with a different cover, you should not have interference issues though switching, but the easiest way would be to spring the motor over by hand with the cover on and spark plugs out, just to be extra safe.

[@w.c2002]

So I need a water pump for my 351w standard rotation do u kno any water pumps that will fit the stock v style pulley ?

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

The early mustang water pumps should be your best bet, those are standard rotation and 302 pumps will fit on a 351. But it really depends on your other accessories are from. The key is to find the pump off of the same vehicle that the other accessories are from, that’s your best chance of having everything line up

[@jsmitty347]

It's definitely not ideal but you can use either pump with either cover main problem is making sure you have no leaks

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

I’ve heard it does work as well, the main reason I did not want to do it was because the truck this is going in will be going slow on off-road trails

[@refugiorod]

Curious, wouldn't there be a water restriction since the passages are smaller with the circle holes?

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

@@refugiorod I don’t think so, the backing plate on the mustang pump was designed to mate a reverse flow water pump to a standard rotation timing cover. For whatever reason from 87-92 the mustangs switched over to the reverse flow pump: but ford did not switch the timing covers over to the reverse flow version, so they created this backing plate to make it work. In this application I am mating a standard flow pump to a reverse flow cover, so just the opposite of what ford did, but same concept if that make sense.

[@refugiorod]

@@shadytreekustomz6268 Yes sir, I went through the same ordeal, I'd figured by now the guys from Napa or other parts stores would had all these questions figured out by now.... nope. Well now I'm switching over to an electric water pump and I was curious if those smaller holes will affect my water pressure.. Btw, great video, i enjoyed it.. most KZbinrs spend more time with their faces on camera then the work they do. keep up the great work. 👍

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

@@refugiorod Thank you, that means a lot, just trying to get right to the point 😃, yeah I haven’t had much luck with auto parts stores for technical support 😂. Electric water pump shouldn’t cause you any issues, I actually finally ran this a couple days ago finally, and zero issues so far

[@franciscocontreras897]

Do you have a link to where you bought the backing plate ?

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

I just went to the auto parts store and asked for a water pump from a 87-92 Ford Mustang 5.0 then I took off the backing plate and swapped it to my crown Vic standard rotation pump. Was $30 if I remember, all the separate backing plate listings I’ve seen have been that same price

[@craigking9627]

Do you have a part number bc all the ones I’m finding don’t have the circles for water channels.

[@rexpardus2924]

Why are Ford engineers over complicating this project

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

Ford loves to do little things like this, they did a very similar thing with the thermostat housings also, hope the video helps!

[@valentindiaz8555]

can't hear you

[@MrSticks9999]

Some inaccurate info here. There is NO such thing as a reverse rotation timing cover . . . . for a Mustang. If you compare that timing cover to a 60s Mustang timing cover, it's the same. The flow through the engine as well, is the same. The problem people get into is using parts from other than a MUSTANG when trying use reverse flow pump.

[@shadytreekustomz6268]

You would be incorrect, the timing cover for the 302 changed more than the water pump style did for these motors as a whole. I’m not very familiar with the mustang stuff so maybe not for the mustang but I can tell with certainty there is a reverse flow timing cover that came in the ford trucks in the mid 80s, and that is what is in this video