The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 12 volt conversion and water pump

I’m rebuilding a 1951 Chevy 3100. The motor that came in the truck is a 1960 235. I’m converting to a 12 volt system and once I put the alternator on I can tell the pulleys will not align with old water pump. (Correct me if I’m wrong).
I’m trying to order the correct water pump so that all the pulleys ( water pump, alternator and cam) align. Can any of you advise me on this? Actually can any of you be on standby 24/7 so that any time I have a question I can contact you right away?
Did I forget to tell you that this is my very first project and I’m constantly researching for answers.
Standby- there will be more.

It's a lot simpler to fabricate an alternator bracket that aligns it with the other pulleys. Ditto on the 216-style water pump conversion - - - -it allows the fan to center on the radiator properly for better cooling and less chance of the fan hitting the lower radiator hose.
Jerry

I just finished addressing the same issue on my ‘59 235 in my ‘52 1/2 ton. Using my existing 10-SI alternator with a new 5/8” pulley, I bought a new water pump for a 216, the water pump relocating plate that Tim suggested, a new alternator bracket made for the 235, a used 216 fan blade, a used harmonic balancer with a 5/8” pulley and finally a new 5/8” fan belt.

Although none of the work was difficult, but it was allot of work but worth the effort. My radiator is now back to the stock position, the fan is properly centered on the radiator and now the whole setup looks stock.

I choose a 5/8” pulley and belt because it looks stock but you can also go with a 3/8” setup. Click on Tims link in his post to get all the info and options.

This is the original Water pump. Do you guys suggest buying the same one with that long neck on it or one like Tims with nearly no neck?

Links to parts would be so very helpful. Thank you guys

Alternator Bracket

Will this work for the bracket/

Your link didn’t work for me. I bought my alternator bracket from The Truck Shop, but the slots for mounting the bracket to the engine needed a bit of tweaking to get it to fit, so I would look elsewhere. Several vendors carry these.

If you plan on relocating the water pump back to it’s original position, you will need:

-Water pump (short pump) from a 216 with either a 3/8” or 5/8” pulley. I bought mine from Rockauto.
-Water pump relocation plate. I bought mine from pre68dave ,a fellow stovebolter and he sells them on eBay. Do a search for item #142578007830.
-The proper harmonic balancer. Yours may be correct but Dave covers the correct ones on his website. You won’t be able to buy this new as they don’t make them anymore. I bought my from a junk yard specializing in early Chevy-GMC trucks.
-A fan to fit the 216 water pump. These are available from https://www.classicparts.com/1947-53-Fan-Blade/productinfo/83%2D405/ as is the upper and lower radiator hoses.

Order the alternator with the correct sized pulley so you don’t have to change it.

"If you plan on relocating the water pump back to it’s original position, you will need:

-Water pump (short pump) from a 216 with either a 3/8” or 5/8” pulley. I bought mine from Rockauto."

A short-shaft water pump from a 1955st or earlier 216/235/261.