79 Water pump on a 70 front cover

[plumkrazee70]

I have 69 barracuda, with a 318 roller that I'm putting together with spare parts.

I used my 70 and up timing cover that I had, and corresponding 70 water pump. All was well until I put in the 69 radiator, and realized that the bottom outlet is on the driver side. Doh! While my water pump is on the passenger side.

I have a 69 water pump in my stash, just didn't think to use it cuz it was cast iron. Can the 69 water pump bolt to the 70 timing cover without issue?

I'm not sure I can get a radiator hose to snake from the passenger side 70 water pump to the driver side radiator outlet.

 

[4spdragtop]

Good question. I would think yes, but more knowledgable will chime in.

 

[junkyardhero]

yeah it'll bolt up but it totally obscures the timing tab.

if you want to play a game of snake the move is to use a few short turns of hose and some lengths of pipe to make it happen.

 

[Professor Fate]

Or use the iron pump (yes, it fits) and get/make a passenger side timing tab (honestly, it's just a piece of bent metal- just duplicate the scale that's on the other side) and remark your balancer for the new timing mark.

 

[nutz]

need a 68 and back timing tab ...69 was cast into cover

 

[plumkrazee70]

Got it. I will get some timing tape and make the balancer for the other side and use the 69 pump.

 

[furrystump]

That’s what I did

 

[plumkrazee70]

That’s what I did

You mean the timing tape in the passenger side with a timing tab? I was trying to think on this and wasn't sure where to set "0" on the balancer as well as where to put the tab?

Can you share some pics or insight?

 

[Dartvader440gt]

I dropped a late 70s 360 in my 65 Belvedere wagon. Originally a 273. I used the early style waterpump and accessories so I didn't have to change the radiator alt or PS pump. The only issue is timing. I have to pull the PS pump to check timing marks. It's opposite on the later 360.

 

[furrystump]

You put the original dampener mark at TDC on the driverside scale. Then fashion or buy a passagerside bolt on scale. Then put the TDC marking on the timing tape aligned with the new scales TDC marking. Make sure to put the timing tape on in the correct direction. Don’t ask me how I know.

 

[plumkrazee70]

You put the original dampener mark at TDC on the driverside scale. Then fashion or buy a passagerside bolt on scale. Then put the TDC marking on the timing tape aligned with the new scales TDC marking. Make sure to put the timing tape on in the correct direction. Don’t ask me how I know.

Haha. Makes sense. Thanks everyone. I didn't want to have to buy a new radiator, that was my next solution. Swap out the water pump and I should be good.

 

[plumkrazee70]

Okay, I am replacing the water pump to the 69 with the outlet on the driver side. What I'm stuck on is duplicating the timing marks on the passenger side of the balancer.

Right now I have it time to about 16 degrees btdc on the compression stroke. Pictures are attached.

Currently you see timing marks on the driver side because of the 70 cover. My plan is to use a bolt on timing tab on the passenger side, just can't quite compute in my brain how to duplicate the timing marks on the passenger side.

 

[CRUZE 418]

Don't worry about it. You can still see the timing marks. If I can, you can. Just mark your balancer where you want your timing set. It will be fine. Mines been this way for years, I have the correct cover, just haven't installed it.

 

[4spdragtop]

Find TRUE tdc #1 comp. Bolt on your new timing tab and remark TDC and the degrees from that. Use different color as prev markings.

 

[plumkrazee70]

Find TRUE tdc #1 comp. Bolt on your new timing tab and remark TDC and the degrees from that. Use different color as prev markings.

Oh gotcha. I was overthinking it.

 

[plumkrazee70]

I haven't put the power steering pump on yet but it's going to be close.

 

[Professor Fate]

Okay, here is an original bolt-on timing tab as used on '68 and earlier small blocks (borrowed pictures).

It attaches to the two bottom bolts of the water pump.
If you can't find an original, don't sweat it. Make one- like I said before, it's just a piece of bent metal.

You don't even have to worry about exact dimensions. You'll see why in a minute.
Once you have your tab bolted on, make sure your original timing marks on the driver's side are lined up at TDC- 0*.
If you got an original bolt-on tab, simply make a mark on your balancer (or add your timing tape) that corresponds to the 0 mark on the tab. Done. Any additional marks you made on the driver's side can just be duplicated on the pass. side.
If you made a tab, pick a spot on your tab to use as a 0* reference mark. Make a corresponding mark on your balancer (or zero your timing tape there). Any additional marks can again be copied to the new side, as well as the entire timing scale from the driver's side. In this way it doesn't actually matter where your timing tab and marks are, as they will be referenced to each other correctly (as long as your D.S. marks are @ TDC, and you verified TDC), so you can actually adjust the design of your new Pass. side tab to give you the best visibility with your particular engine accessories.

 

[furrystump]

You can see the marks with a new style cover and older style pump with a federal power steering pump. You have to look around a bit, but you can time it. It annoyed me, so I installed a bolt on tab and timing tape.

 

[oldkimmer]

The difference is 90*. There is a measurement for it. I just can’t find it right now.