Jim Carter and I am sure others sell a short shaft water pump. Jim says to use a 216 fan with it because of the flat nature of the way it is made. Keeps everything the proper distance. I did this with my 261 and am very pleased. I have 6 trucks and every stinkin one of them, someone didn't know about the short shaft pump so what did they do? Hacked the radiator bracket and sheet metal to move the radiator forward. Its not that expensive to just do it right. Someone like me then has to fix all the damage!
