Really?
Herpetologists call the Cottonmouth the "drama noodle."
Like all other venomous snakes, they are extremely shy; but if threatened, they will display, but not strike unless you literally attack them.
https://www.oriannesociety.org/science-of-scales/the-cottonmouth-myth/?v=400b9db48e62
This is exactly what I want to do with my 2F.
Curious as to which water pump you went with. I'm deciding how to best eliminate the oil cooler on my '84. Will an earlier water pump bolt right on?
Also, what's the part number on that oil filter attach fitting?