i have a 289 engine...my question is what brand and what type of water pumps some of you guys and gals are using??? I am thinking about buying a new water pump for cooler temps...

 

Whatever they have at my favorite Carquest. Water pump ain't gonna make that much difference. Thermostat will affect the temp more.

 

Just don't go cheap and get a rebuilt waterpump. They have a much shorted lifespan.
Here's a little factoid I learned when I was a commercial accounts manager at Kragen auto parts. There are only 2 waterpump manufacturers in the US. All the brands you see out there are either TRW or GMB.