Hello ........Which water pump is better to use on a 260 olds...long or short?... Which water pump is best...Thank You...

 

The "best" pump is the one that matches the pulleys and accessory brackets. Any deviation from that will cause the pulleys to be misaligned.

 

IMHO, the best water pump (w/p) would be the one you already have if it is original; if it croaked, remove it & send to a rebuilder, such as Arthur Gould Rebuilders, etc.

I bought a new aluminum GMB water pump to keep in my trunk as a spare in case mine goes bad while I am out on the road far from home (my package shelf space in the trunk is reserved for this, an Alternator, belts, hoses, a D1906 Ignition Module and of course tools to fix all this stuff if needed). But, if I can get the car home I would not hesitate to pull it and send the w/p out for a rebuild.

x2 on what Joe P advised on the pump's length, it's got to match your pulleys & brackets, or it's worthless.

My 79 H/O has a rebuilt w/p from Arthur Gould which was installed 3 years ago, no issues to date.

 

It isn't a question of "best" rather a question of correct or incorrect. As stated the wrong length will misalign the pulleys. Replace it with the length that is on it now.

 

Thank You...