Water pump help

[cmefly]

OK problem solved. Here is what I found after searching the internet and all your help here.

The early timing chain cover IS thicker than the late model one. The early cover measures: 2.5" front to back and the late model one is 2.25" front to back. So what I found is that there are 2 different types of late model covers. One of them has the boss for a fuel pump and the dipstick but they were never drilled and or cut out. That is the one I had. So solution was to drill out the boss for the dip stick and tap in the stick from the early model cover. Viola problem solved and I can use the stock reverse rotation water pump.
I will take some pics when I blow everything apart and get it all ready to go back together so you can see the comparison. Needless to say I was very happy when I got home and found I had the cover I needed. I actually found the write up on this from a guys post on a 5.0 into a 65 mustang. Gotta love the internet!!
Thanks for all your help and input I am sure there are more people than me running into this issue.

How early is your timing cover? I have them in my shop from 1965-1974 and all measure the same. never heard of one that was 2.5" Very interesting.

[doghows]

Timing cover is from a 1965 289, that is the thicker one. The other that I will use is from a 1988 EFI 302.
The water pump for the 1965 motor is 2.5" and the pump for the 1988 EFI is 2.75".
So if I use the early cover and the late pump I am .25" out too far or is it .50"? I am going to try and pull it all apart tonight and lay it all out on the bench and measure it all and take a few pics.
Should be all back to the late model 1988 stuff. Just has a hole for the dip stick in the cover now.

[doghows]

Here are the two covers. The silver one is the late model one and the blue is the early one.
Need to button up the pump and pulleys on the engine and I will put some pics of that when it is done. Also put pics of the covers with the pump on them to show difference in height.

[cmefly]

Thanks for the pics, I would not have believed it without seeing it. I have 2 1965 covers and 1 1969 and 1 1974 cover and all measure 2 1/4". Does anybody else have a cover like that?

[falcon cobra]

I have a 68 and it's 2.25, I also have a 64-289 and it's close to 2.5 ....jh

[doghows]

Go figure?? I am just glad my problem is solved. Now to finish putting the engine together and get it fired up. Then time to paint.... The light is getting brighter!!

[Luva65wagon]

Can't see from the pictures - but was the timing cover seal height also different heights too - or just the water pump portion? My guess is, as Patrick said, no fuel pump eccentric (or fuel pump mount) on the thinner one?

Learn sumpin' new every day.