I have had two water pumps replaced before this last rebuild. When I got the motor back from the builder he left the water pump for me to attach. Well now I know why the water pumps were replaced twice. The self tapping screws stripped out. Both places who did the work had to know the screws were stripped. Thought about retapping but all the chips would fall inside the new rebuild. I imagine I am not the only one who has had this issue with there water pump screws stripping. The steel thickness is only .125 thick . Of course I had to remove the pan to do this. If the motor was in the car I guess I could have gotten buy without taking the pan off. The two water pumps I got back Ill bet are just fine.

tim72

 

One option is to weld nuts to the backside of the timing cover to eliminate the problem forever.

 

Thanks,
I thought about that.