Serpentine 3.9 Rover V8, convert to electric pump?

ratwing · Post by **ratwing** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 11:49 am

Its the one with a distributor and a serpentine belt - the water pump spins the opposite way to the crank pulley so without the steering pump (don't need it) and alternator (won't fit there, have to move it) I can't figure out a way to run a serpentine belt so that it goes around the pullies enough.
I could fit a p6 or SD1 cover to get a pump I can drive from the crank with a standard fanbelt but then I'd get the old style oil pump too and I'm assuming the 3.9 is a better one? (plus theres the grief of changing covers/broken studs and so on)
Does it sound feasable idea to drive the water pump with a seperate belt from an electric motor? Has anyone else done this?
Any thoughts or ideas gratefully received

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 5:32 pm

Is there an Electric Water Pump available for that timing cover? That would save a bunch of effort.

Chris.

kiwicar · Post by **kiwicar** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:25 pm

Hi
you can get kits for driving a chevy water pump with an electric motor and a toothed belt, like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moroso-Electr ... 2c8924b0ec
best regards
Mike

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:23 am

Aren't they for drag race engine, i.e. short duty cycle.

O/P - why cant you add idler pulleys in place of the removed items to roughly maintain the belt path?

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:58 am

It would probably be easier to fit a generic electric pump, rather than attempt to drive the original with a motor. An SD1 club member has done just this to his SD1 fitted with a 4.6 engine.

Ian Anderson · Post by **Ian Anderson** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:42 pm

http://www.v8forum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6939

richardpope50 · Post by **richardpope50** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 5:33 pm

Where is your alternator then?

I run my serp with just crank, water pump and alternator as per this difficult to see photo. Whilst I also have a small amount of belt (3 - 4 inches) on the water pump, it pumps fine.

If you're interested, I also have an idler wheel that I no longer use (as above is fine) that takes the place of the power steering pump. PM me if interested.

ratwing · Post by **ratwing** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 7:45 am

Thanks for the replies, I've seen the old post on electric pumps but thought it worth asking again since that was 4 years ago.
My alternator sits down low on the nearside, unfortunately there are frame tubes going through where the alternator and belt mount on the top offside (and more tubes through where the pump mounts on the top nearside).
I'm not sure if I could arrange idler wheels to get enough wrap on the pullies, I have to bear in mind that the engine is exposed and don't want belt slip when it gets wet.
I'm gradually coming round to thinking it might be easier to shell out for a Craig Daivies pump & controller because I can get one over here, anything from the USA is going to be pretty pricey with postage and customs duty.