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Well, I'm finally getting around to replacing my WP - original still OK, but want to do this BEFORE it falls apart!  I used to work at Advance Auto & bought one of their ASC Signature Series WP's to install. This pump has a plastic impeller, which is what I have decided to go with for various reasons (as I posted in a long thread awhile back - I'm leery of using a metal impeller pump). Does anyone know anything about this particular brand pump? Has anyone possibly heard anything about the plastic impeller in this pump being of higher quality than the original Motorcraft that disintegrates? I tried to find some info when I was working at Advance, but no luck. Has anyone put one of these in, & if so, how long ago? I'm debating whether I should go w/this pump or just buy a new Motorcraft w/the supposedly improved/stronger plastic impeller. Appreciate any info!
'96 Contour SE Teal
Duratec V6 MTX
54,000 Miles (Purchased New)
Not a Newbie - Had To Re-register! 
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It should be fine. Even the updated factory plastic ones last a fairly long time. I replaced mine at 45,000 miles, and it was in very good shape. When you take yours apart, make sure the metal cone that's in the other half of the pump body is staked in solidly, and you'll be good.
contours, deloreans & fiats, oh my!
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Personally I'd run the new white impellared OEM water pump or a metal impellared water pump (GMB) (or electric I suppose ) Anything else would be suspect to being based on the original pump style and material.
2000 SVT #674
13.47 @ 102 - All Motor!
It was not broke; Yet I fixed it anyway.
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I've been running the metal one for almost two years now with no problems and no cooling difficulties.
I would not consider a plastic one since my old impeller split in half!
Plastic is plastic, whether it be white or black and can never have the durability properties as metal in this application.
Dan B.
96 SE 2.5 auto
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I have no life
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I have no life
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Motorcraft's h20 pump for zetecs has a metal impellar, I really don't think you'd have anything to worry about using a h2o pump with a metal impellar. But stock on v6s are supposed to last atleast 60k miles, so expecting atleast another 60k miles outta a new WP (and your engine) should be good enough.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Thanks for everyone's input.
As I had discussed before here, I have talked to various folks (engineers, techs, etc.) regarding their thoughts on the metal vs. plastic impeller thing.
I don't think anyone can know w/absolute certainty w/o talking to the engineers who designed the Duratec cooling system, & even then who knows  , but my concern is that this is a very complex system, & perhaps a plastic impeller was used for a reason other than to save $$$.
Yes, most WP's are metal, including the Zetec, and I find it hard to believe that they skimped on the Duratec & not the Zetec. ???
I have to wonder if a plastic impeller might actually be superior to metal (if it is a high quality plastic & doesn't crumble!) as it may put less stress on all components involved, being lighter; & it would be less susceptible to corrosion, as mentioned here in this import news article - seems BMW had the same WP problem:
http://www.autohausaz.com/html/import-auto-news-october03.html
Here is an excerpt from one of my posts in a thread that we had awhile back, expressing some of my other concerns about metal:
Quote:
The WP is a poor design w/a cone that easily displaces, & a plastic impeller. Many are replacing theirs before they disintegrate, as a preventative measure - 40,000 miles is about the average life span.
You have 3 choices:
1) Replace w/an after market metal impeller pump, which I decided against, since a shattered metal impeller from a loose cone would be a worse problem, IMO, than a plastic impeller in pieces. You will still be using old housing w/old cone.
2) Replace w/after market plastic impeller pump. Again, you will still be using old housing & cone, & since impeller is plastic, I would replace every 40,000 miles.
3) Replace the whole unit, only available from Ford, including cone & impeller, so that you now have a new cone & housing. You will still have a plastic impeller, though, & since apparently no one knows if the new plastic impellers hold up any better, I would still replace every 40,000 miles. Some feel this is the best way to go, since at least you will have a new housing & cone, & maybe the cone will be less likely to come loose than one that has been on for awhile. But this unit is more expensive. And, I had a customer who got 2 defective units in a row from Ford, but I have never heard of anyone else having this problem, so I'm hoping it was just a fluke.
There is no perfect solution here - some compromise is involved w/each choice.
'96 Contour SE Teal
Duratec V6 MTX
54,000 Miles (Purchased New)
Not a Newbie - Had To Re-register!
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Originally posted by Janine:
Yes, most WP's are metal, including the Zetec, and I find it hard to believe that they skimped on the Duratec & not the Zetec. ???
Not saying you're wrong, you're probly right, but I replaced my WP at 135K, and it was plastic. Perfect shape also, The color was different, though. The one on the car was black, the one I bought at O'Reilly's was white (or was it the other way around  ).
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Quote:
Originally posted by Janine:
Yes, most WP's are metal, including the Zetec, and I find it hard to believe that they skimped on the Duratec & not the Zetec. ???
Quote:
insayne_kokane replied:
Not saying you're wrong, you're probly right, but I replaced my WP at 135K, and it was plastic. Perfect shape also, The color was different, though. The one on the car was black, the one I bought at O'Reilly's was white (or was it the other way around ).
I'm not sure I'm understanding - sometimes hard to get everything clear to each other when communicating thru writing! Bad me for not writing more clearly - sorry.
But in case you think that I'm saying that the original Duratec was not plastic - no, of course I know that it is. All original Duratec WP's were plastic. See my above quote from a previous thread - we have had endless discussions & heartache regarding this, unfortunately, due to so many folks having the original pump die prematurely, & even break apart into a zillion pieces due to the lousy plastic they used. 
What I was trying to say was that if their only reason for putting a plastic pump in the V6 was to save money, why didn't they do the same thing in the Zetec & use plastic there to save money? It kinda doesn't make sense that they would skimp on the V6, as it is such a complex engine. But then maybe I'm missing something here! And from all the other stuff I've seen Ford do, nothing would shock me.
BTW, I'm not dead set against replacing w/a metal pump - haven't decided yet - just thinking out loud here, weighing the pros & cons, & looking for other's input, which I greatly appreciate.
insayne_kokane - glad to hear that your pump lasted so long. You must be living right, or holding your mouth just the right way when you drive!
'96 Contour SE Teal
Duratec V6 MTX
54,000 Miles (Purchased New)
Not a Newbie - Had To Re-register!
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Sometimes systems or components for a given automobile are designed and built by an outside supplier. Some cars, like Chrysler products, IIRC are about 50% outsourced.
Maybe this was the case for the Duratec and Zetec, explaining the difference in impeller materials.
I am an engineer and have extensive knowledge and working experience with centrifugal pumps. In the chemical and refinery industries you rarely find polymer (plastic) pumps and usually only where corrosion is a great problem (from acid) and the temperature is low.
Granted, the applications are different, but there is a great physical similarity between the design of the Duratec pump and chemical process pumps.
The metal impeller has a higher rotating mass, but this is probably neglible.
I would choose the metal one any day!
Dan B.
96 SE 2.5 auto
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I would pick the one with the best warranty, then the best price. I have never been sorry for getting a lifetime warranty on auto parts. The one in your car now can get boxed & put away as an emergency spare - just in case. 
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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