Not a restoration. Just looking for a functional water pump for a 1971 Cutlass 455 with AC.
What is your favorite brand from these Rock Auto Choices below?
Yes, I know we all love Thornton (screenshot also below), but I am looking for something more budget friendly for this particular car.
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The Dayco water pump is the only with a closed impeller. Otherwise weight, some like GMB are aluminum or the best warranty is the way to go.

 

I have a parts store stamped steel open impeller water pump on my car and originally I had some concerns but it had no issues keeping the engine cool in our 110+ summer heat with the AC on.

 

When I last bought a water pump for my '70 Vista it was a china repop. Didn't look right but worked fine- goodnuff for that car, but I did keep the original core which I recommend you do even if you know it is not correct # for your car 'cuz this 55year old stuff isn't that easy to get anymore and only gonna get more scarce...

 

GMB / Milodon aluminum pump (i.e. GMB apparently makes it under both their own name and Milodon) has been my choice - direct fit, great performance.

I doubt Thornton makes their own pump so they may just be selling a rebranded GMB piece stamped with part# markings to Thornton's spec... If that's the case, go with best overall pricing (i.e. check Summit / Jegs as well as Rock Auto, etc.)

 

....1971-72 Oldsmobile F85 442 Cutlass 350 455 Air TEX NOS water pump AW969 231066 | eBay.....

Here is linky to one that may work 4 you...

 

Yeah Fun 71 is one of our hot weather testers. But the 350 does run cooler than a 403 or 455 in your case. I also found nothing gained from my GMB modifed Flowkooler water pump. It is the old style with riveted plate on an open impeller. It made zero difference on my hot 403, learned a lot on my 88 Cutlass about cooling systems. The old Flowkooler plate on open impeller doesn't fit as tight as the factory closed impeller. I have the second to last made, Flowkooler reverse rotation water pump, no more cores available with their newer billet impeller looks impressive, who knows if it does anything. My understanding is the closed impeller isn't about flow, it is to help prevent cavatation. It is only the more expensive Dayco heavy duty water pump that has the closed impeller, looks like a dedicated impeller, not a riveted plate like my old GMB/Flowkooler which hasn't failed in 15 years. Here are screen shots of the Dayco heavy duty and Thornton. The stamped impeller look slightly different as well among the pumps on Rockauto. That Dayco heavy duty is only $45.75 your price in US dollars. The bottom pic is a cast iron pump that came on a 260 of all things.