[blackrod]

I have an 03 Excursion 6.0 and I am planning to change and upgrade the water pump. I read somewhere here in a post that I could in put a later model pump, such as an 04 or 05, which has a larger impeller as long as I also change the the front cover. Is this true and can someone explain a little further. Is it more complicated and what do I have to watch out for?

 

[jimmy]

You can replace the front cover and use the later pump.
What problems do you have with the pump now other than leak?
Loads of people I know tow 20K+ loads with 03-04 models and overheat has never been an issue.

Front covers have been in short supply so you may have a hard time finding one other than a used one.

 

[blackrod]

I have had no problems with my pump at all or with engine temp. I have 168k on my Ex. I want to change to a Sinister pump to avoid problems. I figure that if I change I could upgrade if I could and if it is advisable. While Im in there I want to change the power steering pump also.

 

[TKOPerformance]

I think the later pump offers dubious benefit for the time and expense of swapping the front cover, which is also very hard to find right now, and likely isn't going to get any easier unless they start making new ones again. I'd just swap in a BPD pump for your year and call it a day. The upgrade is going away from the plastic impeller in favor of billet. Once that's done the system should be pretty much bulletproof.

 

[blackrod]

Thanks Jimmy and TKO. Your opinions are certain appreciated. I think I will go with the simple solution, BPD pump.

 

[shoguy89]

If it ain't broke...don't fix it.

If you wan to throw money at it, pull the EGR off, tune it properly and never look back.

 

[TousleyParts]

Exactly. I don't think it would really be worth the upgrade, imo anyways.

 

[blackrod]

Thanks for your responses. I will change the water pump and be done with it. Btw, Ive thrown a lot of money at my Ex including the EGR delete. It runs great and Im trying to keep it that way by staying 1 step ahead.