Hey everyone,

My 68 originally had a 6, but was converted over to a 302 (not by me). They left the original radiator, which I need to replace now. Because the newer engine is post 1970, the water pump is facing the wrong direction, so I need to replace that too.

My question is: will the water pump spout be in the way of the alternator bracket? I haven't bought the new one yet, but it sure looks like it will be a tight fit. Is it possible I'll have to buy a new (diffferent) alternator bracket?

I hope this isn't confusing. Thanks in advance for any advice. Thanks, Adam

 

Im not familiar with your specific application, but you might keep March Performance Pulleys & Brackets in the back of your mind.

 

The water pump snout should come out on the drivers side on a 70 and later 302. Don't buy a 6 cylinder radiator. Buy a V8 radiator. Where the radiator outlet (bottom) matches your style of water pump (drivers side). Mustang depot p/n 340-4 looks like it will work with your application. Look at this http://www.mustangdepot.com/images/SDMP/259-3C.jpg

 

I did buy a V8 radiator, but one for a 68, so I need a water pump with a snout on the opposite side. I was told if I bought a water pump for a 68 that everything should fit. But I'm skeptical. What do you think?

 

Well actually I just went though this with mine. Bought a 67 289 radiator not realizing that the pump snout was on the other side on the 302. I have a 302. Was planning on changing the water pump anyway so I got a pump for a 289. It fit just fine under the altenator. The problem that I had was, on my motor the timing pointer was where the new snout location was going to be. Bought a 289 timing pointer and put it on the other side. Then the timing marks on the balancer would not line up with the timing pointer. Bought an after market balancer that came with 4 sets of marks to cover all applications. I wanted to do that anyway because the lower pulley on my motor had a jerry rigged spacer set up to get the pulley to align. The front of these small block fords can be a pain when you start changing things. The answer to your question is yes it will work. If you bought the radiator locally an easier fix would be to take it back and tell them you want the radiator with the outlet on the other side like the one I posted the link too.

 

Thanks for the follow-up post, I'm glad to hear it will work. But you're right, I should have just bought a radiator for a 70+. I guess I didn't think it would bolt up correctly. If you think it does, I may try to return this one.

 

The 70+ might not bolt up. The first year of 302 was 68 and I'm pretty sure that is when the pump snout changed. I know a 68 will fit.

 

That would really be the easiest fix unless you want to get into a situation like I did. I would take it back and just tell them you need that same radiator but the outlet needs to be on the other side. Make them do the work to find it. Now, if you bought it at and Autozone or Checker they may have some trouble. Those boys can't find anything unless you give then the exact application. In that case tell them you need a 68 302 radiator and compare the 2. If that doesn't work tell them you need a 69 302 radiator and compare the 2. The link I posted from mustang depot listed that radiator as a 67-69, 289, 302, 351 radiator.