Water pump Gates or OEM FORD

I ended up keeping the gates kit, I've put about 8k miles on it so far.

from 88k to 150k miles, I put in a new water pump ($27). otherwise very reliable and easy to find parts as there are tons of them in the junkyards.

Once I removed the thermostat, I felt in the port and although the impeller felt ok, it spun freely; not smooth like a bearing but rough like it was dragging. Since I was able to freely turn the impeller through the thermostat hole, I have to assume my water pump is failed.

Water pump failed on the gates timing belt kit and engine shredded only 16000 miles on it

Gates water pump failure

I have seen early failure with the Gates water pump and wont use them.

Don't use Gates water pumps.

But do NOT use gates water pumps, they are junk.

A gates timing belt kit for a Honda will have OE parts as Gates is a OE supplier for Honda. Except for the water pump./ Gates water pump are garbage so NEVER use a gates water pump if its driven by the timing belt.

Gates is not a decent brand when it comes to most water pumps. Their belts are great, but their pumps I do not use for most cars.