MTFCA Forum

Asking for a friend… I swear!

He has a ‘15 touring (pre generator block) that apparently needs a water pump. The desire is to get away from magneto lights, and install a charging system and battery. Does anyone have any examples of an alternator and water pump on an early engine? Did you use 1 belt or 2?

I suppose a electric drive water pump could be a solution?

A further thought is that the water pump requires very little energy so I think that one belt could drive it all.

Although I prefer a stock set-up, I can understand wanting an alternator on a pre-1919 Ford so you can maintain a battery for a starter, headlights, turn signals and other accessories. Bob Coiro's '15 touring comes to mind.

However, does your friend really need a waterpump?

All the alternator set-ups on pre-1919 engines that I have seen posted on the forum over the years are located on the driver's side. When that is the case, there is no room for a waterpump.

If we were to attempt to fit an alternator on the driver's side, the inlet manifold and carburettor would get in the way. Now, if were to mount it on the left side............

Allan from down under.

Les Schubert wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 15, 2023 10:52 pm

A further thought is that the water pump requires very little energy so I think that one belt could drive it all.

A better thought is to figure out WHY it needs a water pump and then correct that issue and the rest is easy. Besides, the alternator goes on the opposite side of the engine from a water pump anyway, why would that be an issue? I'd still correct the apparent cooling problem and run the car "au natural" as it was designed and 99.9% do without problems.

That’s a good thought is to why the need of a water pump. What is the condition of the radiator. Is the engine having a boil over? When is the last time the head was off and is the block water jacket have to much sludge or rust.

Not enough room" EGADS and horrors!! You just need more cars for your goodies!!!!!

Susanne wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 16, 2023 9:14 am

Not enough room" EGADS and horrors!! You just need more cars for your goodies!!!!!

yeh I ended up that way a while back...picture SIX..yes six cars...5 T's and a model A...one T was a firetruck..crammed in my 24'x50' barn! Eventually I thinned the herd down to just 3 T's, and one of them stays in the house garage!

Here's an alternator kit on our '14 - be tough to fit a water circulator in the midst !

Just use the diode-1156 bulb design to charge the battery from the mag. If a lot of night driving, then use LED head lights.

Thanks for the input fellas! I’m hoping to NOT go overboard on this project…. I have been eyeballing the head mounted option but having a hard time envisioning the belt routing. Steve, your pic of the dual belts gives me hope, is your crank pulley a modified aluminum repro?

I have made a “polyvee” pulley for the fan and with one for the water pump I think you can drive it all in one “loop”!!

If you really want to shoehorn a water shover in the mix, I'm thinking an Atlas pump may be the way to go... I like them better than most because they live down at the bottom of your radiator outlet, instead of next to the block inlet, so the risk of cavitation is minimal. Just my 2¢... Sus

Susanne wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 17, 2023 4:11 am

If you really want to shoehorn a water shover in the mix, I'm thinking an Atlas pump may be the way to go... I like them better than most because they live down at the bottom of your radiator outlet, instead of next to the block inlet, so the risk of cavitation is minimal. Just my 2¢... Sus

An Atlas might work.

It was the pulley that came with the TTP kit Kevin. I agree with the Atlas circulator suggestion - could be a viable option. I might even have enough of them to make one or two if interested.

Thanks for the offer Steve! I haven’t even seen the car yet due to traveling for work the last several weeks, and will be on the road to Lincoln for 2 more. Will try to get the fella to mock up my old speedster alternator while I’m on the road to see if it fits. Then we can deal with the belts…

I've run a pump and alternator on a pre-generator car before. Ran it on one belt as well all on the driver side of the engine.