Magnesium water pump..................

[Rex T.]

I have an NOS magnesium water pump...................for a big block Chevy. It was manufactured by Horstman (embossed on pump housing), but not dated anywhere. There is no hole on top for a by pass hose like a stock BB pump. Since it's magnesium and since BB Chevys didn't appear until 1965................I'm wondering if this could have been for a race application (Can Am?). Does anyone know anything about Horstman or these mag H2O pumps? And yes, I know mag doesn't like water.

Thanks,
Rex

[Rex T.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

Anybody ever seen one or know anything about it? Surely this isn't the only magnesium big block Chevy water pump in the world..........

[Joe L.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

Anybody ever seen one or know anything about it? Surely this isn't the only magnesium big block Chevy water pump in the world..........

Rex------


I've never seen one or, even, heard of one. What's more, I do not understand why a magnesium pump would ever have been manufactured. I see no advantage to the magnesium over aluminum for a waterpump application. Are you sure the pump is magnesium? If it is magnesium, you can be certain it was intended for some sort of very specialized racing application and, perhaps, Can-Am, although I still do not understand why they would have wanted to use magnesium for a waterpump application. While magnesium is lighter than aluminum, it would seem to me that any sort of weight advantage for a casting of this size would have been only a pound, or so.

In any event, there is a Horstman Manufacturing Company that's still in business in Vista, CA. Primarily, they are involved in go-cart parts manufacturing but I think they used to be in the tool and die business. You might try contacting them and see if anyone there might remember the item in question. Their number is 760-598-2100. If you do contact them, let us know what you find out.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

sounds like some wild ass idea from GM engineering when they were loaded with $$$$. i don't know the coefficient of expansion between aluminum and magnesium but if it is a good bit difference i could see a problem with leaks between the pump and blocks

[Clem Z.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

Rex------


I've never seen one or, even, heard of one. What's more, I do not understand why a magnesium pump would ever have been manufactured. I see no advantage to the magnesium over aluminum for a waterpump application. Are you sure the pump is magnesium? If it is magnesium, you can be certain it was intended for some sort of very specialized racing application and, perhaps, Can-Am, although I still do not understand why they would have wanted to use magnesium for a waterpump application. While magnesium is lighter than aluminum, it would seem to me that any sort of weight advantage for a casting of this size would have been only a pound, or so.

In any event, there is a Horstman Manufacturing Company that's still in business in Vista, CA. Primarily, they are involved in go-cart parts manufacturing but I think they used to be in the tool and die business. You might try contacting them and see if anyone there might remember the item in question. Their number is 760-598-2100. If you do contact them, let us know what you find out.

i still have some cylinder heads for 820 west bend kart engines that were made by horstman back in the 60s

[Rex T.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

I just spoke with Horstman Mfg that Joe Lucia suggested I call. The gentleman I spoke with was adamant that they manufacture ONLY go kart components, clutches etc................................

Looks like this water pump created itself and was born with the name HORSTMAN "self embossed" on it.........................

Another unsolved mystery.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

I just spoke with Horstman Mfg that Joe Lucia suggested I call. The gentleman I spoke with was adamant that they manufacture ONLY go kart components, clutches etc................................

Looks like this water pump created itself and was born with the name HORSTMAN "self embossed" on it.........................

Another unsolved mystery.

you should have ask "were you at horstman back in the 60s"

[Michael W.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

Here's a clue:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360370102529&viewitem=#vi-content

Maybe call Moroso and ask?

[Rex T.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

Mmmmmmmmmmmm deja vu all over again. I had one of those back in my racing days, late 70's, never used it, don't remember what ever happened to it.

Will try to contact Moroso..................if I can find their number.

Thanks for the information.

Rex

[Joe L.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

Mmmmmmmmmmmm deja vu all over again. I had one of those back in my racing days, late 70's, never used it, don't remember what ever happened to it.

Will try to contact Moroso..................if I can find their number.

Thanks for the information.

Rex

Rex------


It's 203-453-6571. They are located in Connecticut.

By the way, Moroso has made waterpumps for a long time. I've seen them around for YEARS. However, all of their pumps are aluminum; I've never seen or heard of a magnesium pump. Also, if I recollect, some of their BB Chevy pumps have no bypass provisions on the top.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

Rex------


It's 203-453-6571. They are located in Connecticut.

By the way, Moroso has made water pumps for a long time. I've seen them around for YEARS. However, all of their pumps are aluminum; I've never seen or heard of a magnesium pump. Also, if I recollect, some of their BB Chevy pumps have no bypass provisions on the top.

race engines since they do not use a thermostat so they need no bypass. on race engines with chevy water pumps i always blocked the bypass because instead some of coolant going thru the rad it just went back into the water pump. if you have a overheating BBC try blocking the bypass hose with a cup type expansion plug holding it in place with a hose clamp. the heater will act as the bypass on warmup till the thermo opens

[Joe L.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

race engines since they do not use a thermostat so they need no bypass. on race engines with chevy water pumps i always blocked the bypass because instead some of coolant going thru the rad it just went back into the water pump. if you have a overheating BBC try blocking the bypass hose with a cup type expansion plug holding it in place with a hose clamp. the heater will act as the bypass on warmup till the thermo opens

clem------


The thing I can't figure is why Moroso doesn't make the pump with an upper bypass fitting. For applications not requiring a bypass such as racing, simply plug the bypass fitting with a pipe plug. For street applications desiring the bypass, use the fitting.

[Joe C.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

Rex------


I've never seen one or, even, heard of one. What's more, I do not understand why a magnesium pump would ever have been manufactured. I see no advantage to the magnesium over aluminum for a waterpump application. Are you sure the pump is magnesium? If it is magnesium, you can be certain it was intended for some sort of very specialized racing application and, perhaps, Can-Am, although I still do not understand why they would have wanted to use magnesium for a waterpump application. While magnesium is lighter than aluminum, it would seem to me that any sort of weight advantage for a casting of this size would have been only a pound, or so.

In any event, there is a Horstman Manufacturing Company that's still in business in Vista, CA. Primarily, they are involved in go-cart parts manufacturing but I think they used to be in the tool and die business. You might try contacting them and see if anyone there might remember the item in question. Their number is 760-598-2100. If you do contact them, let us know what you find out.

The 6440083 fuel pump had a magnesium body.

[Joe L.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

The 6440083 fuel pump had a magnesium body.

Joe------


Yes, it did and I never understood the reason for that, either.

[Michael W.]

Re: Magnesium water pump..................

Just to prove that you're not imagining things here's it's little brother

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/58-59-60-61-62-63-Chevy-283-327-HORSTMAN-Magnesium-PUMP-/360369330773?pt=Race_Car_Parts&hash=item53e7af9***