So I’m ordering up a storm of parts while I have engine down and partly apart. I got new timing chains (primary and secondary) and guides and rails and new tensioners (primary and secondary)and new bolts for updated tensioners, all timing cover/ valve/cam cover gaskets and seals/washer seals, crank seal, crank pulley bolt, new idler pulley and bolt, new tensioner pulley, serpentine belt, oil filler cap o-rings, oil pan gasket, oil pan drain plug, oil filter…. You get the drift.
now I’m looking at water system parts, and see too many options for water pump. Any suggestions on what you’ve used and good luck with? I’ll be draining coolant, and replacing water pump, thermostat, t-stat housing to aluminum with cover/cap/seals etc.
water pump options are anywhere from $36-200…. But all look the same in the pictures lol. What has been used and tried and true?

fyi 97 xk8 coupe very early production still original nikisil motor I have 68,500k mi on the clock, all original everything(I’m working on that though)


thanks!!!

 

Buy the Motorcraft pump from a Ford Thunderbird 3.9L V8. It's the same as the OEM pump (Airtex) but comes with a metal gasket as opposed to the paper one the Airtex has. Can be had for a third of the price of the Jaguar branded pump at about $100.

 

I just put this one on my 98 XK8…
$80 on Amazon…
ACDelco Professional 252-800 Engine Water Pump
I agree with buy one with metal gasket & rubber O ring…

 

Thanks for the suggestions, after a lot of thought and consideration on the subject I ordered a beck/arnley water pump with metal impeller from rock auto for 47.79 before tax and shipping costs, however it seems to come with a paper type gasket as far as I can tell(haven’t received it yet). Any one have a part number for a specific metal gasket with molded rubber seals? I found oem number to be nca2267ba but all searches get me the paper type gasket. Any searches for that part number on eBay all say it “doesn’t “ fit my car but those could be wrong. All input appreciated thanks

 

Please document your replacement so others can learn from your experience.

I used the Amazon ACDelco, which had a different thickness, but worked fine.

Here are my write-ups:

 

There's a metal with molded rubber gasket by Mahle around, but it doesn't fit the water pumps that come with a paper gasket. I had a paper gasket Airtex and that never sealed right. It always wept. That's why I bit the bullet and bought the Motorcraft pump.

Also, the metal impeller pumps supposedly can cause cavitation with the Dexcool. I haven't really read any reports if it being a real problem, but YMMV.

 

I used the Airtex and like Daniel said it has a regular gasket. Knock wood no problems and still going strong.

 

motorcraft is the same as the dealer pump it just works.

the acdelco also works fine

 

I went with an all metal unit. My ol done which was still working came apart in pieces when removed. Some of the plastic turned into an unknown substance. Some say not to use metal but after seeing that pump.....I was sold.