K code 289 questions

[egchewy79]

anyone with a 289 HiPo successfully change their standard PS inlet water pump to a DS inlet? It appears that the standard K code water pump is a bit shallower that may affect pulley alignment down the road. I was wondering if anyone has successfully done this and what was necessary. I think I would need to change my timing cover, switch to a DS water pump and possibly switch out balancer as well.

[Big Blocker]

Hi-Po 289's were [really] no different than regular 289's . . . except for the internal stuff that made them Hi-Po's. You should be able to just get a new pump with the inlet on the DS without much trouble. Bolt pattern should be the same. Front timing chain cover should be the same. Hi-Po 289's used a heavier crank damper but the "V" groove was placed no different than the standard 289's.

Hit the parts store with your old PS inlet pump and ask to see a few DS inlet pumps for 289's / 302's (NOT 5.0's). Match the bolt pattern and the height to the outer surface of the pulley mount.

All of this is coming from a very old single celled memory bank . . .

Doc

[egchewy79]

Ok. Did some research and the stock k code pump was shallower by about 0.3" than post 1969 pumps. The cover was as a result the same depth thicker. You must use the k code cover and pump for everything to work. Impeller on k code pump will also not fit non k code cover. Using a non k code pump and cover puts your pulley in same alignment, so swapping to a DS intake water pump should be no problem. Mystery solved for anyone wondering down the road. Now the question is electric or manual pump. Can I run a heater core with an electric pump?

[egchewy79]

further investigation shows that while swapping out a timing cover and water pump to non-k code parts, it would be possible to flip the water pump inlet from PS to DS. however, the HiPo balancer is a thicker balancer and meant to have timing pointer at 2o'clock. would it be easier to turn the radiator around so that the outflow is at the PS bottom and I can run the top across to the DS? or should I look for a radiator w/ both intake/output on the PS? so the swap is feasible, but not convenient. any thoughts?

[Jeff Kleiner]

If you turn the radiator over so that the pipes are on the opposite sides they will point straight down (just ask Hargrove ;))!

To have both inlet and outlets on the same tank in a crossflow radiator requires a double pass configuration (the FFR radiator is single pass.) You can find double pass crossflows through AFCO, Keyser, Speedway and others but unless you have it customized the in/out pipes will be perpendicular to the tank rather than angled which will make hose routing a little more challenging.

Jeff

[egchewy79]

Jeff, I think I've decided to work with what I've got. I'll figure a way to get the coolant to the PS.