Technical 1954 ford 239 water pump… can I rebuild with the guts of a later pump?

I am at a cross roads. I’m thinking I’ll just order a rebuild kit and rebuild this the proper way.

in the same breath I ordered a water pump (advertised 54-62 y block now knowing 54 is a one year )a year ago that’s technically useless now. So my question is has anyone used the bearing from the later pump in an early pump? I figured I’d ask before I pull out my micrometers and start scratching my head.

 

Sounds like hot rodding to me. Give it a try.

 

It worked! Had to cut the shaft down in both ends but thankfully the other pump was complete because the old impeller broke when pressing the shaft out .

 

Oh and I had to cut down the inpeller