ABC123 wrote:

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The power steering pump is not original to the car as this was a non power car.

That's why I am wondering which type of water pump would have been common to the 69

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In this case, you should have gotten one to accept the p/steering pump and not for the year of the car providing all else was the same.... drill it out to use the long bolt as original to the pump as long as there is enough meat on the casting to do so...  

seventy2plus2 wrote:

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The power steering pump brackets look the same as on my 70 small block, which would be the same as 69. Either way, just have the parts guy look it up. Maybe take your old water pump with you to the parts store to compare.

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I agree with you... but since he had the pump for a year, I doubt they will take as a return/exchange... that's why I suggested drilling it... I bought a new alternator at a swap meet last year for my Estate... went to put it on, mounting hole too small in the ear of the alternator as it was a small block alternator and not for a big block... (as for those that don't know, the 454 in my car uses a 7/16" instead of the 3/8" bolt used in a small block) So, I drilled it... works great... 

ABC123 wrote:

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Three stores today and all the same part.
I think I will pop into the local machine shop and have them drill it out on a press.

Shouldn't cost much.

Small investments

I am worried about playing around with cast iron.

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If you have a drill and 3/8" bit at home, do it yourself.... take your time... no worries! Plus, 1/2 of it is drilled already.... (threads)

So what I did not know until today.

Two types of water pumps they say will fit this car.

Short shaft,

And Long shaft,

The dimensions from base to tip are the exactly the same.

My car originally came with a short shaft and all the parts places here, seem have only the long shaft.

The long shaft will work but the alternator bracket needs a longer bolt and a 3/4 inch bushing.

And of course, the power steering pump hole needs to be drilled out.

From what I have read, the long shaft design is far better in flow rate performance and this may be a reason I can only find the short shaft on Ebay.

The drilling went very well !

I probably took longer than I needed to drill but the drill bit would grab and my biggest fear was breaking the bit off inside or breaking the cast.

I will bolt this all back together and see how it works

Again, all comments welcome !

Thanks for helping this very experienced, novice