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I made this prototype electric water pump system back in '00 - '01 for my first Pantera, a '74L. I wasn't sure if/how it would work, so it was basically an experiment using low cost parts. (I used pipe fittings, copper tubing, and regular black hoses. I soldered it all together myself.) Needless to say, it looked very clean and pretty when first completed!

I laid my radiator forward and mounted the electric water pump under the front trunk. I used shut-off valves at the pump and carried a spare pump in the car. If it were to fail, I could have swapped the pump out on the side of the road in literally 5 minutes using hand tools without any loss of coolant (except the small amount that was in the pump). I had the pump wired on with ignition with an override switch to turn it off (in the event of a low battery and weak cranking for startup). I made the actual firewall in two pieces so the bottom can act as a belt guard when working on a running engine.

The system worked flawlessly for the rest of my ownership with the car (which was until Oct. '04). I took lots of pictures throughout the project, but I can't find them (I've looked many times over the years), all of the pictures were lost! As luck would have it (3 years later), I came across a very familiar looking Pantera for sale 3 states away in PA. So one Dec. morning in '07, I hopped in my car and drove for hours just to see it again. The salesperson was great and allowed me to take all the pictures I wanted. At least I was able to recoup what the finished product looked like. At that time, the system was still operating flawlessly and the salesperson thought it came with the car stock! As I understand it, the car was sold and shipped to Austrailia and I haven't heard about it since.

When I undertook this project, I also rerouted my upper coolant return hose down and under the engine so it wouldn't be seen. I incorporated the coolant fill cap into the custom thermostat housing I made. I moved all the necessary engine bay components behind a heatshield I had made that mirrored the gas tank heat shield and routed all wires and hoses up from under the engine for an ultra clean, engine-only look in the engine bay.

When I get into the engine in my 5-S, I will make this system again, only this time I'll use nicer tubes, hoses, and fittings knowing the investment will be worthwhile.

This project was a lot of fun and the end result was/is very satisfying! I hope you enjoy seeing a different approach to a flat firewall.

Michael

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Last edited by cyboman
quote:
Originally posted by DeMopuar:
Is there a way to install an A/C compressor if someone wanted to?

Yes, I originally had both the A/C and alternator side by side.

I modified my original A/C - alt bracket by cutting the alt U shaped mounting point (for the through bolt) off the top of it. I then used that U piece mounted upside down on a section of long flat steel that hung over the side of the remaining A/C bracket. I used the curved adjustment bracket for the alt underneath it bolted the the A/C bracket. I ran the alt off of the second groove in the A/C pulley.

When A/C compressor seized I removed the whole A/C unit and bracket as an assembly and simply moved the alt in it's place. My A/C - alt bracketry was the same concept as the ones used in the bulkhead reduction kits.

The rerouting of the upper coolant return hose is not necessary for this to work, I just wanted a cleaner, uncluttered engine bay.

Michael
Last edited by cyboman
Anytime you'd like, Mark. I could use a little 'escape' to Canada!


cat7195,

The 'new and improved' version will likely include a remote thermostat. This wouldn't be a necessary improvement, but it will give me additional clearance for other planned modifications.

There is, however, one change I would make: I would run one larger pipe from the pump to the engine rather than two smaller ones. I would 'Y' the two smaller hoses off of the larger one where it exits the tunnel at each end. This would simplify things just a bit. The picture is under the front of the car looking back as the tubes enter the tunnel.

Michael

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