Water pumps 101. Short VS Long. Please Advise

[imdarren]

I'm sure this has been on the board in the past. However, I need help.
What was the most common water pump on our trucks specifically the 72? Long or Short?
What is the easiest to match Alt, P/S Pump, A/C brackets brackets to, or in other words what was the most common setup?

Thanks!

Darren

[Longhorn Man]

All small blocks in the 67 - 72 trucks came originally with the short pump.
However, if you are starting from scratch, it would be way easier to locate the set up for the later long water pump. The only major issue you would have is the A/C. Non a/c trucks can get the newer set up with no problems at all, and the power steering brakcets hold up MUCH better on the newer style.

[imdarren]

I'm doing a "ground up" rodstoration.
Originally I wanted to stay with the original look, however, maybe I should use a power steering bracket from March or somthing?
I did buy a good original Alt. bracket.
My truck will not have A/C.
I will most likely use headers. Will that make a diffrence what power steering bracket would work best?
I didnt think original PS brackets were that hard to come by?
Will an original PS bracket work with headers?
Advice please.

Thanks!

Darren

[Longhorn Man]

Original 69 - 72 alt and power steering would not be effected with headers. The power steering one bolts way down low, partially to the motor mount...that is the portion that does not hold up.

[imdarren]

Opinions / advice?

Darren

[dregs454]

Just did all this stuff myself, on my 72. I would go long water pump, the brackets are way easier to find in the boneyard. the power steering bracket fits with headers, you will just need a spacer about 1.5 inches long. The upper alternator bracket will bolt either to the intake manifold, or to the thermostat housing. I had to get one that bolted to the thermostat because my manifold didn't have the bolt hole near the front/center, depends on your manifold tho. Also, i'm using the old externally regulated alternator, so I have to run a long wire from the driver side where the voltage regulator is. those alternators also don't have a hole in the right spot in the back casing for the bottom alt bracket, but i'm just neglecting to use it, because its sturdy enough for now, I'll get a new one later. other than that i don't know what to tell you, except i wanted to keep the short pump, but i couldn't get stock brackets for anything. If you wanted to go aftermarket brackets that would be a totally different thing, and a whole bunch more money