I think most SB water pumps have the outlets on the passenger side but the one I had was on the driver side and I need another one but I don't know how to order one. Does anyone know what year and car they came on and can you get a high performance one?

They are the '69 and older small block pumps. They come in either 6 blade (AC cars) or 8 blad (Non AC cars). The AC cars had a smaller pulley on the water pump to spin the fan faster so less blades were used. I could not find anything other then a basic replacement pump when I searched recently. The after market completely ignores the '69 and older small block water pump market.

late 60's 273 have cast iron WP's w drivers inlet & are shallower compared to the 70 & up aluminum units that have a pass inlet. MP offers an 8 blade heavy duty one but it is pricey. I would get a parts store 8 blade(non A/C) one & add a round anticavitation disc to the impeller. Need more info? gotta lot of time? go here www.moparchat.com & scroll down to & click on circle track chat & checkout Mr Sanborns cooling mods that are in a sticky at the top of the page. One of the countries foremost SB cooling experts. All the cooling info you need (& then some). Plan on several hours to absorb it all. Plus alot can be easily adapted to BB as well.

So am I right to think that I would want a '69 SB water pump non-AC so it will have 8 blades to move more water?

You want the WP that has the inlet on the same side as your rad nipple. the early(cast iron) WP's MAY only come in a 6 blade & the later alum ones MAY(I am not sure) have a thicker impeller which would move more water. But I would strongly suggest you read Sanborns material.

I meant the 70 & up alum pass side pump could be had in a HD app(& 8 blade) MP iirc P5249559 & it was pricey. I dont think there's anything available for the dr inlet except for the garden variety replacement 273 units. I reread my post & my wording was misleading

Flow Kooler makes a high flow model of the early LA water pump. It is cast iron and pricey. early LA cast iron water pump There WERE cast aluminum versions of these early LA pumps available, but they are pretty scarce. Most you will find are iron. I found an NORS aluminum pump on Egag.