I have a 396 I'm putting in my 69 not sure what water pump to use, short or long. I have a short pump and what was sure are the right crank and pump pulleys but the alternator does not look like it will ever line up (passenger side), To line up it would have to sit back so far that it looks like it would have to clear the valve cover. Not even sure the 2 different set of brackets will work. Any help? Should I just go with the long pump and get the pulleys for that instead?

WSRanch

69s and later SBCs and BBCs used a long pump.
Go the long pump and get the correct brackets to suit.

Or get the brackets to mount your Alt. on the other side with a '68 down short pump. It will just look funny to those in the know with a short pump set up. I'm sending you a list of all the info you need to convert a SBC to a BBC.

Larger Dave

Since you have a 69, I'd set it up for the 69 and later long water pump, with alt on pass side. Lots of brackets will "fit" 69, but 69 had some "69 only" parts, like alternator (later ones fit, but have an extra hole in the upper, and the later ones for the lower have an offset stamped in to fit the smog. Also, there are lots of years (still available from GM) brackets for the power steering, but the 69's are unique.

The drivers side alt is usually for short pump.

Yea Jerry. I would install the correct long water pump. It will make for alot nicer look when your finished.