[Chevelle-list] Long vs. Short Water pump

[Dale]

While "3-core or 4-core" is a common term, radiators only have 1 core.  It's
the number of cooling tubes you're concerned with.  Due to size constraints
with either water pump setup I don't think you'll find a 4-tube aluminum
radiator; more likely a 2-tube design of 1-inch tubes.

A short water pump was used in 67.  While you can use a later long pump it
will limit clearance with a thicker radiator and will require all the
brackets, braces, and pulleys for a long pump.  Long pumps are 1.25 to 1.50
inches taller than short pumps.

I had a 69 engine in my 67 with a long pump and wound up with about 2-inches
between the fan and radiator after having to use a 1/2-inch fan spacer to
allow the fan blade clearance from the accessories.  And that was with a
stock 3-row radiator.

With a 2-tube aluminum radiator (usually 2-inches thick; 2 rows of 1-inch
tubes) the space was cut to about 1/2-inch.  Enough to cause one to have to
remove the radiator in order to get the fan off because there wasn't room to
get a wrench on the fan bolts.  Any thicker radiator may cause clearance
problems.

If I were doing it over again, I'd use the short pump setup if you have
factory p/s, alt, A/C, brackets, braces and pulleys.  I used a March system
that allowed for a later one-piece style p/s pump but it included all the
brackets and pulleys.


Dale McIntosh 
ChevelleCD.com 
ChevelleStuff.com 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: chevelle-list-bounces at chevelles.net [mailto:chevelle-list-
> bounces at chevelles.net] On Behalf Of Bill
> Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 9:37 AM
> To: The Chevelle Mailing List
> Subject: [Chevelle-list] Long vs. Short Water pump
> 
> I am building up a 396 for my 67 Chevelle and wondering whether the long
> or
> short water pump is preferable.  In an effort to keep weight down, I want
> to
> go with an aluminum pump.  What is the difference?  With the standard
> mounts
> and core support - I would like to use an aluminum 4 core radiator - is
> there and clearance problem?
> 
> Bill
> 
>