Dumb Question...Electric Water Pump Newbie

I'm doing a "leak check" on my first R3/W8 build. Using a short deck Arrow timing cover, and a Meziere pump. I am also using external water input through the center freeze plugs. This is my first electric water pump build.

This pump is used although I was told it is a low hour unit when I got it nearly 5 years ago.

I began by pre-filling the engine through the upper hose, and filling a wash-tub. It should be noted that this water reservoir is about 1 foot lower than the water pump itself.

I placed the lower hose into the tub and tied the upper hose in a fashion that would allow it to discharge back into the wash tub.

I connected the pump to a Snap-On large jump pak as a power source. I cannot pick up a prime with the pump. I can hear the pump running, and a few times it sounded like it was "catching a prime" due to a change in tone, though that was only momentary.

Am I wrong thinking the pump should be able to pull the water from the tub, or do these pumps require an elevated/closed loop to allow the weight of water to aide its function?

I have verified block filling by pulling the lower drain plugs in the block.

It needs to be in water to work.

The lower hose was submerged.

Im assuming you mean that it needs a closed system and that I should rig up a type of circular reservoir/rad to complete the system?

you probably need to prime it, most electric pumps are installed below the water level in the motors so they are submerged in water all the time once they are filled up

I know a guy witha Ford Windsor , he had to drill and tap a small blleeder into his elec waterpump to be able to bleed/prime it . Nothing else would do .

Tex

Did you try reversing the leads on the jump pack? It may be running the pump backwards.

you need to have the level up into or over the impeller. Otherwise all you got is an air pump.