So I'm probably going to open a can of worms as some of the research I've done, there doesn't seem to be an exact consensus of the type of water-pump to use.

@rothwell has inspired me from his working thread to do the same on the 2001 Craigslist Cat. So far, a thorough cleaning and replacement of the rear shocks and upper isolators have been accomplished. Both isolators were completely missing they had disintegrated all the way.

The next project is tackling the cooling system. Old girl is giving me the EXACT symptoms I was expecting; a thermostat tower leak as I'm 99% sure the entire system is original. I was going to get an aluminum thermostat housing and hit it with some satin black engine enamel to blend it in, thermostat, water pump, and work my way through the cooling hoses.

This is probably going to cause debate, but is there any particular brand of water pump and thermostat to use? Obviously trying to stay away from the Chinese knock offs, but I saw a post by @fmertz where he used the AC Delco pump with metal impeller blades and also came with the O Ring as well, even though it is said you don't have to use it. I am only using this car as stock and not driven for racing, etc. It appeared there was not a consensus when it came to new plastic impeller, O Ring or not, etc.

Anything else besides the water outlet pipe/crossover tube I should consider besides the usual suspects of the Octopus Hose, Tee Piece, Valley Hoses, etc? Has anyone purchased a complete hose kit for these cars?

Thanks again, as always will update with pictures.

 

I went to the local ford dealer and bought a water pump using a part number off the sticky thread on this forum. Genuine Ford part ...fit perfectly

 

^^ Can you provide that Ford water pump part number?

 

After spending a ton of time reading everything I could find about water pumps on these forums, I settled on the GMB 125-6030 pump for my '97.

What I got out of the many posts on these forums was a preference for the new plastic impellers over the metal ones out of fear of cavitation issues with some coolant. The old plastic ones were definitely no good but new plastic is better than metal.

Some people preferred one piece pumps, saying that they could leak between the two pieces. This one is a two piece pump.

The gasket for this one was also what some preferred, metal with rubber bits on the sealing surfaces. As per the instructions that came with the pump I smeared a light coat of silicone grease on the gasket during installation.

As a side note, I replaced the pump because of a coolant leak, and at this point I suspect the old pump was fine but hadn't been installed correctly. Its mounting bolts seemed very loose as I took them out, and its paper gasket was falling apart, hence the leak.

So heck, if someone wants to give the old pump a shot I'll mail it out for the cost of postage. If anyone's interested, message me and I'll figure out what model it was. I only know it has a metal impeller and will need a new gasket.

 

There are a number of references in the sticky

XK8/XKR - Non-OEM interchangable Parts Thread

at the top of this forum. The list includes:

2000 LINCOLN LS V8-3950 3.9L DOHC
• 2001 LINCOLN LS V8-3950 3.9L DOHC
• 2002 FORD THUNDERBIRD V8-3950 3.9L DOHC
• 2002 LINCOLN LS V8-3950 3.9L DOHC
• 2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD V8-3950 3.9L DOHC
• 2003 LINCOLN LS V8-3950 3.9L DOHC
• 2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD V8-3950 3.9L DOHC
• 2004 LINCOLN LS V8-3950 3.9L DOHC
• 2005 FORD THUNDERBIRD V8-3950 3.9L DOHC
• 2005 LINCOLN LS V8-3950 3.9L DOHC
• 2006 LINCOLN LS V8-3950 3.9L DOHC

I just went to the Ford dealer with this list.