Hey folks, I am trying to solve my 55  272 getting warm at idle and would like to install a smaller diamater pump pulley, earlier on this site it was recommened to get a wpp1 frm cj or a mr gasket 8856 pulley, I got the mr gasket pulley and its for a 3/8 wide belt, I checked on the cj pulley and it is also for a 3/8 wide belt. My engine has a 1/2 in wide belt. Any suggestions?

Ask pulley manufacturers if they have anything close enough to work.
Replace the generator pulley and damper with those for a 3/8" groove.
Have a pulley made.  I've had pulleys made by https://www.autospecialties.com/



Lawrenceville, GA

Maybe check on Ebay or hit up a junkyard?  That CJ Pony Parts pulley worked great for me...

Do you have the Napa Thermostat #6? That made all the difference in the world for me.  

My 292 ran hot when I got it...I put on the CJ pulley and it cooled down to around 130 or so...I took it apart and low and behold there was no thermostat...I ran a 180* unit and the temp shot up again...220s on the gauge.  I ran that Napa #6, which is 170*, and it's perfect now. 

Looking thru the Ford parts catalogue, there are at least three single groove pulleys listed for extra cooling purposes for the 1955 Ford V8 engines.  They are as follows:
B5A-8509-D, 6.80” O.D., 2.46” deep
B5A-8509-E, 6.30” O.D., 2.46” deep
B5A-8509-F, 6.30” O.D., 2.40” deep

Another option would be to use the 1954-1956 223 six-cylinder w/p pulleys.  Two different diameters are listed for those.
EBP-8509-A, 5.86” O.D., 2.01” deep
EBP-8509-B, 5.32” O.D., 2.01” deep
It would be necessary to space the six-cylinder w/p pulleys forward ~7/16” for belt alignment purposes when using them on the Y V8.

While the above part numbers are no longer available, this does show that there are some wrecking yard or swap meet options that will get the job done.  Also keep in mind that 5/8” pilot hole w/p pulleys from other cars or applications can be redrilled with the appropriate bolt pattern and used assuming the belt width and outside diameter fits your needs.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks guys I appreciate the feedback, from my research I believe the 55 has a 1/2 wide belt and the 56 has a 3/8 wide belt. I am going to see if I can find pulleys for a 56 and see if they will fit my 55. And I wonder how much they would charge to make a pulley so I will check that out also. Nothing happens fast with this car for sure. THe closest junkyard for what I need is in Tenn. All the old junkyards in LR Ar are gone.

55 and 56 both have 1/2" pulleys,57 up use 3/8" .I have both kinds which diameter do you want to use   Carl

Hey Carl, It would be nice if you had a water pump pulley that required a 1/2 belt
 and was in the 5.86 to 6 inch diameter.

Ok i will check my stash, this afternoon   Carl 

My 55 Tbird wp and damper pulleys use a 1/2-inch belt, so does the Powermaster PowerGen alternator for same. RockAuto lists the same belts for 55-57 Tbirds, which vary, depending on the manufacturer, from 0.47-0.53 inches. Based on this information, you shouldn't have difficulty finding a pulley that will accommodate a 1/2-inch wide belt. The Tbird suppliers sell a 1-inch smaller wp pulley that uses a 1/2-inch belt, but expect to spend about $100. It is cast iron/steel, not stamped steel, and it's considerably heavier than the factory pulley, even though it's smaller. The pulley fits all 55-57 Tbirds. Now, the question: Do the 55-57 Tbirds use the same wp pulley as the full-size Fords of the same years? 

T-Bird pulleys have less offset than passenger car pulleys, they do not interchange.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"