[P@blo]

I happen to like the straps. Keeps my thermostat from leaking

For water pumps, I prefer a cast iron body and cast full vane impeller. Dayco DP836 is my go to:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/DAC-DP836

[Formulajones]

Not sure what is meant by the "double strap design"

Are you referring to the extra support brackets used on alternators?

Dad's GTO is that way, many were that way. Some Chevrolets as well. I guess I don't quite understand why that would be an issue. The more the better is my thinking. I don't like that stuff wobbling around, especially high rpm and throwing belts. So if it's more solid, I'm all for it.

All our stuff is factory 50-60 year old OEM brackets and pulleys and it all bolts on and works perfectly. I've never had a reason to change any of it.

Some people just like the modern pieces with serpentine belts and such. That's fine if that's your flavor.

[burd]

Stock stuff works great, keep the butchery down.

[RocktimusPryme]

Originally Posted by Formulajones

Not sure what is meant by the "double strap design"

Are you referring to the extra support brackets used on alternators?

Dad's GTO is that way, many were that way. Some Chevrolets as well. I guess I don't quite understand why that would be an issue. The more the better is my thinking. I don't like that stuff wobbling around, especially high rpm and throwing belts. So if it's more solid, I'm all for it.

All our stuff is factory 50-60 year old OEM brackets and pulleys and it all bolts on and works perfectly. I've never had a reason to change any of it.

Some people just like the modern pieces with serpentine belts and such. That's fine if that's your flavor.

This nonsense pictured. I went through multiple peices with both factory parts purchased on eBay or here on the forums and aftermarket ones. I never got two that lined the slot up right.

I realize this may seem like I’m over reacting. But I suppose we all have little thing that get under their skin and I hate that design. I’ll die on that hill. And Pontiac knew it was a dumb design because they changed it in the 70s. My factory bracket efforts also always flipped the belts at high RPM on the track. Went aftermarket and the problem went away.

If you have good 70s brackets those are fine. I would still use newer repro pulleys. That said, while some people won’t like the look, and that’s fine, I like being able to tighten belts with a turnbuckle.

I realize this is debatable, but I personally think buying a made to go together aftermarket kit eliminates the cobbling and butchery. I can’t tell you how many project cars I’ve had with mismatched cobbled together factory pulleys and brackets. If it works it works, I’m not fixing something that isn’t broken, but if I get a car that has a janky setup, I’ll never again go through part numbers and try to piece together an original assembly buying multiple 50+ year old pieces from different sources. Just give me the aftermarket kit once and be done with it.

[P@blo]

Originally Posted by P@blo

I happen to like the straps. Keeps my thermostat from leaking

For water pumps, I prefer a cast iron body and cast full vane impeller. Dayco DP836 is my go to:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/DAC-DP836

The Dayco DP836 now comes with a stamped steel impeller not cast iron and wanted to update the information I provided. They swithed over a year ago but old stock might be floating around.

['ol Pinion head]

Will throw this out for the 47th time...

FIRST.... ALL '69 Pontiac V8's were originally assembled with a 4" hub height cast iron water pump. Over the years have rebuilt quite a few of the '69 "351" casting 11 bolt pumps.

To further iterate,, there is NO such thing as a '69 1/2 Pontiac V8 water pump.... that is nothing more than a term thrown out there by mistaken parts peddlers.

The 1/2" taller hub height 11 bolt water pump, the '124" was introduced in August of '69 for all 1970 model Pontiac A-B-GP models, & in Jan on the new 2nd Gen Birds.

Beginning in the late Fall of '69, that exact 1/2' taller hub height pump was introduced in service depts as a SERVICE REPLACEMENT on '69 V8 models (except "69 Firebirds) when it was combined with the correct application '70 model Pontiac V8 wp pulley ("127", "128", "129", "130")

Further, there is a reason the '70 model "124" casting 4 1/2" hub height water pump was never factory installed on a '69 V8 Bird.
That reason is evident when working on '69 Birds w 4 core radiators.... when the later 11 bolt wp & corresponding '70 wp pulley is substituted, the fan is jambed up too close to the radiator.

Checking out!