Bob Drake Catalog

800-221-FORD (3673)

FLATHEAD

Performance Engineered for

Maximum Coolant Flow

1937-48 Car &

1937-47 Pickup

WATER PUMPS

Perfect for any original

or hopped-up flatheads.

Fits 85, 95 & 100

Horsepower models.

78-8501/2 $125.00 pair

Includes gaskets.

MAIN BODY & PULLEY

No more rusty steel castings to deal with. We made all

new tooling to give you the best rust-free internal flow.

All mounting surfaces are machined for fitting accuracy.

PUMP SHAFT BEARINGS

Each pump shaft is press-fitted

with two modern double row ball

bearings for reduced friction and

heat and for super long pump life.

Ford’s original bronze bushings don’t

even compare.

SHAFT

We increased the shaft

diameter from Ford’s 1/2" to

5/8" adding more stability

and increased wear features.

Drake’s Water Pumps

Original Ford

6-straight-fin impeller

Drake’s new impellers

feature an 8-fin perfect helix

configuration for maximum

coolant flow at all RPM ranges

The Time Has Come to Beat the Heat ...

In my decades of driving and working on old Fords, I’ve heard many tales told by fellow Ford

enthusiasts about improving the flathead’s cooling system. Tricks like “Take your water pumps

off and grind-off every other impeller fin” or “Fit thermostats into the hose necks” or “Put flat

washers in the heads to restrict the water flow.” are a small sampling of the many advocated

methods to turn heat-plagued flatheads into cool runners.

Studying flathead engines and the design and evolution of its water pump variants, I learned that

Ford redesigned the impellers on the 1949 and later pumps to improve coolant flow and lower

engine temperature. I also discovered that later truck and commercial flatheads had water pumps

with larger shafts, better seals and improved bearings that surpassed the simple bushings

of early passenger car pumps. Reflecting on these findings (and considering the ample cooling

ability of Ford’s radiators), I knew the quest to lower the flathead’s temperature is in the water

pump – to increase the pump’s water flow while gaining longer pump life through superior internal

components.

I’d compiled my list of upgrades and made my own improved versions for our inquiring customers.

Now with thousands of Drake’s pumps out in the early Ford world, we have not received one

complaint related to overheating. When you buy our pumps, I personally guarantee you’re getting

the best water pumps ever made for your Ford. My name is on it.

’37-48

Flathead V-8