455 short and long water pump applications?

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by 57HeavenCDF, Nov 6, 2021.

  1. 57HeavenCDF

    57HeavenCDF New Member

    I am doing some low buck engine swaps using Buick 455 motors in non-Buick chassis. I like the Buick 455's not only for their torque, but also cuz both rear and center drop (1970 430 Riviera) pans are available to clear steering and cuz I have a lot of early Ford transmissions (including toploaders) that bolt to the mid-60's Pontiac bellhousings which will accept either early Ford and GM transmission bolt patterns. Also cuz I have four Buick 455's now, multiple styles sets of headers, etc. new BOP Lakewood bell and billet flywheel, clutch, etc. all sitting here. But I have no Buick chassis, so...

    But I recently ordered some engine parts not knowing that there are 2 different length 455 water pumps. Seems on the four 455's I have that they are the long version of water pump and the pump I received is the shorter version.

    The current 1971 455 (original chassis it came from is unknown) I am working on is going in a mid-70's Pontiac Grand Am (colonnade mid-size body style) which chassis I think should easily accommodate the longer ( by 1" ?) typical 455 Buick water pump and its factory pulleys, alternator and AC pump mounts to match the long water pump.

    Another stock 455 1974 good runner already went into a 56 Dodge 2 dr sedan and at the time I welded in engine mounts I just located it as far back as possible. Again, even with the long water pump, it fits fine with sufficient fan clearance.

    The 3rd 455 I have is stuck and I have been just stealing parts off for the other ones at this time. It also has the long pump. Was told that motor came from a t-boned 75 Century, but idk for sure.

    And the 4th 455 I have is a 1976 Riviera motor with 70 heads that IDK what I will use it for, is a long term project and has some expensive TA parts on it and more in transit. Cam, oil pump kit, oil pump plate kit, oil pressure regulator, Stage 1 intake, TA roller rockers, distributor, etc.. That motor also currently has a long water pump.

    I thought maybe I would use the new short water pump on that more expensive motor in case whatever chassis I use with it needs the extra space the shorter pump provides. But then none of my pulleys, alternator mounting brackets, etc will presumably fit with that short water pump...

    So, my question is: what Buick 455 equipped cars came with the short pump? If I knew that perhaps I could either hunt down some factory pulleys and brackets for those models or buy some aftermarket pieces for that models. I surmised maybe it was just the GS mid-size early 70's body that used the short water pump, but I have also read that some full size Buicks w/o AC used the short water pump too, so IDK. All these motors I have now had AC compressors and long water pumps, so no non-AC motors to compare with.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2021
  2. 1969RIVI

    1969RIVI Well-Known Member

    Keep searching on the board here in this street strip engine section there's for sure one (probably quite a few) threads that discuss this very topic and will have all your answers. I myself have read it but can't for the life of me remember the heading. Larry the wizard is usually pretty good and quick at providing links to other threads. I swear he's like the V8Buick Rain man (but not in an offensive way Larry, if you read this lol) and he knows where everything is, seriously!:D.
     
  3. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Been here close to 20 years.:) Have well over 40,000 posts, less than 300 posts away from 41,000:eek:. Have a pretty good recollection of what I have read over the years, here, and on other sites, and the search function is pretty good on V8. Have a pretty good library of photos at my disposal as well.:)
     
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  5. 1969RIVI

    1969RIVI Well-Known Member

    And that is why Larry you are the one true Wizard of V8Buick knowledge :). It's too late now to change your name now to "The Oracle" I suppose :D:p
     
  6. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    V8 member Johnny Angel gave me that name way back when. Have to stick with what works.:D

    https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?members/johnny-angel.8245/
     
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  7. 1969RIVI

    1969RIVI Well-Known Member

    I hear ya Larry. Its ine of those names that just "stuck" and you can never go back, even if you wanted too lol. Hopefully the links you posted helps the OP. I knew you'd have them on had anyways:D.
     
  8. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    Water pump usage depends on pulley and bracket usage. There is a lot that can go wrong. Use matching parts that all came from same engine. Even parts stores get it wrong. Starting in 71 455 the long pump was used on AC 455 and all Stage and heavy duty cars even without AC
     
  9. copperheadgs1

    copperheadgs1 copperheadgs1

    I believe all 70 455 came with short water pump. 71 and up some pulleys will not work with short. Power steering pump choice is important too.
     

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