water pump question 1959 with a 283

[AZ59apacheguy]

So I'm starting to dress up a 283 to drop into my '59. When searching for a water pump I came accross both a long and short shaft version. I plan on using a stock fan/shroud/radiator combo. What version water pump do I need, long or short shaft style? Thanks for your time

[_Ogre]

short pump for a stock 283
that way all the front end accessories will still fit

[AZ59apacheguy]

Thanks for the reply. I'm using the " Ram Horn " manifolds with the alternator bracket that mounts to them. Other than installing an A/C unit down the road, I have no other accesories I want to install. So, what is the long style pump meant for then?

[mr48chev]

Yep, short pump, a long pump requires different pulleys and the things that the belt runs like the generator/alternator take different mounts to work.

[OrrieG]

You can use either long or short pump, but as said the factory mounting brackets for alternators, ps pumps and ac are different. Pulleys are different too, and as I found the hard way, need to be matched pairs for the crank and wp depending on the water pump and number of grooves. Short water pumps had the generator/alternator on the driver side, long on the passenger. There is another current thread about AC mounting that has a discussion about the different bracket configurations so I won't repeat that info here. With a SBC there are no issues with fan clearance to the radiator since they were set up for a longer six with shroud extensions for the V8 engines.

[solidaxel]

In Arizona I have had very good luck with a Stewart Components short water pump.
Speedway Motors has the best price

[_Ogre]

if you buy your parts from a real auto parts store, they wouldn't have even asked

you- ''i need a water pump for a 59 283 in a truck''
napa- ''here''
autozone- ''does it have air conditioning?''

[AZ59apacheguy]

Hi. Thanks for all the replies. I am more concerned about the fan distance to the radiator. I bought an original, factory V8 fan shroud that looks like a cut off section of a metal garbage can with backets welded on.

[TX58]

My 58 factory v8 has the same fan shroud. Very crude looking but works. About the distance of the fan to the radiator, you will need a spacer. Not sure what was used from the factory because mine has been replaced at some time. It's about 3" long and places the fan inside the shroud. Autozone sell a nice one for about $20
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[AZ59apacheguy]

Hi. I found the spacer you were referring to, here is a pic of the shroud I will be using.

[TX58]

That's it, I do like it better than the plastic aftermarket unit.
Good luck
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[solidaxel]

Clean it up and paint it and call it yours.
If you need that spacer for the fan why can you not run a long water pump?

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

if you buy your parts from a real auto parts store, they wouldn't have even asked

you- ''i need a water pump for a 59 283 in a truck''
napa- ''here''
autozone- ''does it have air conditioning?''

It is the oppisite here.
Napa- "we don't have it"

Never
Any
Parts
Available

[Stepside Jim]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Clean it up and paint it and call it yours.
If you need that spacer for the fan why can you not run a long water pump?

Hi guys, I'm gonnna take a shot at the long pump, short pump difference.

Up to around 1970ish, they used the short pump, along with this short pump they mounted the alternator outwards. What I mean is, the alternator always hung off the side of the engine. If you tried to move the alternator inward, the back of the alternator would run into the valve cover or the head casting.

Then after around 1970ish, they went to the long water pump. Now the water pump pulley is moved forward around 3/4" and the alternator is moved forward, this forward movement allowed the alternator to be mounted infront of the head instead of hanging off the side. It made for a more compact package.

They also changed the bolt circle of the water pump pulley to slightly larger diameter. Now when you buy a water pump you'll see two different bolt patterns on the pulley flange.