Back story: I have a 68 455 out of a delmont 88 that I had put in my 69 cutlass. A long time ago the motor spun a rod bearing. After many years I have finally put some money into it and had the engine rebuilt. I am getting ready to put the motor back in the car and I am having an issue with the water pump / crank pulley lining up. I think they should sit directly over each other and both pulley grooves should line up. Unfortunately the water pump rear groove is barely lining up over the front crank pulley. They are not perfect. If I remember correctly the belt for the alternator goes around both and the alternator and then the same for the power steering pump. Am I correct? If so, why are they not lining up properly? I did lose the crank pulley of the engine and I went and stole the crank pulley of the 350 that was original to the car. Are those different? Do I need a spacer behind the crank pulley? Am I missing that as well? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

If the pulleys you have were originally a matched set, you have the wrong water pump. There are THREE different water pump lengths for Olds motors, 5.1", 5.6", and 6.1".

 

Did you replace the water pump? there is a spacer on the crank pulley but it goes in the front, not between the pulley and harmonic balancer. i don't know if the 455 and 350 pulleys are the same ,i do know the best solution is to have a matching set. The experts here may be of more help than i.Good luck getting it back together.

 

Oh Cr@p, it came from the engine builder with this water pump. They are not the original set of pulleys off the engine. The water pump pulley is and the crank pulley is from a 350 original to the car? Are these pulleys special? What is the proper way to fix it? Replace the water pump? Do I need to buy a matching set of pulleys? Get a different pulley? Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it.
God its always something.

 

What are the part numbers/letter stamps on the pulleys. That will tell you what pump they are designed for and even if they are a matched set. The most common Olds pump these days is the 6.1" pump, so I'm betting that's what's on the engine.

 

So it looks like I have the large 6" pump. I don't know if that is the right one. I have included pictures of the two pulleys and the misalignment issue. Any suggestions on where to go from here?

 

Your KE/KB pulley set is designed for the 5.1" pump. The easiest thing for you to do is to get the correct pump. Airtex AW773, GMB 1302773, Carter W343M are all equivalent 5.1" pumps.

 

I just bought this pump for the 68 455 I have. It is the 5.1" you need. The seller has several of these. Best price I found for a rebuilt original pump.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/16693402135...emis&media=SMS