We have a 318 (1968-1984) engine going into a 54 plymouth. installed the water pump today, slid the engine back to the fire wall and at this rate the manual fan will be in the radiator. I have seen a few questions online for a short water pump but havent seen a definite yes if one exist. Does anyone know if a vans pump might be shorter? May just have to move the firewall back a few inches but thought i would ask first
one size fits all when it comes to LA small block mopars can you move the radiator to the other side of the core support? and /or run an electric fan
The cast iron water pump is an inch shorter than the later ('70 and newer) aluminum pump, the only problem is the water inlet is on the driver side. You'll also need the pulleys, alternator brackets and timing cover that go with the cast iron pump, the '70 and up stuff wont work.
Had a 1991 dakota pick up 318 that had a short pump but I don't know if they are interchangeable with that old of a 318.
I just bolted a '97 Dakota starter to my '81 318 to clear the steering shaft on my A. Lots of the magnum stuff will bolt onto an LA, but I've been looking for a "short" water pump and came to the conclusion that it might exist, but was way more involved than just swapping the pump. My '81 318 came out of a van and it's water pump is 5 miles long, so I don't think they are a good source. I think it is cast iron (pre 70) or aluminum. There are some "odd" pumps, but the big difference is the outlet side, not snout length. Another thing I've learned about the sheaves - they are "matched" crank and waterpump and don't just freely interchange. I deleted everything except the alternator and had to swap both crank and WP to make them line up. And now I'm mounting a Ford alternator as the mopar one was HUGE. Allpar is a good source for info like this, but long/short WP seems to be one without a really clear answer.
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