Hi folks: I posted a thread about a month ago where I chronicled my trials with a leaky water pump on my 69 Buick Skylark 350. Looking at the water pump from the front of the car, the pump leaked between the gasket at the lower left bolt (the one that goes through the timing cover into the block) which subsequently broke in the block when I tried to remove the water pump and led me on my journey to extract the broken bolt in the block, replace the timing chain, oil pump, timing cover and water pump. I appreciated everyone's assistance and the new timing chain, oil pump and cover from TA went in without a hitch. I started the car and after a few minutes, the leak returned from the gasket around the same bolt! My frustration manifested in many expletives and the decision to pull the pump a second time, this time using permatex silicone and a new gasket. Followed the directions on the permatex, I waited an hour before torquing the bolts to spec (29 ft-lbs for the bolts to the block and 7 ft-lbs for the bolts to the timing cover) and 24 hours before putting the antifreeze back into the radiator. Much to my surprise, the leak returned before I even started the car!! Out of frustration, I just fired up the 350 and after a few minutes the leak stopped. Before the engine got hot, my fuel pump quit and the car stalled. Seems the gremins are winning the battle at the moment. I'll replace the fuel pump and see if the water pump leak resumes. I've changed water pumps on many cars in my time and have never had an issue. Anyone have any ideas?
I've taken to putting a smidge of pipe dope on the end of that bolt in my engines, with antisieze in the threads above it. Never had a leak.
the long bolts enter the water jacket. I had the same problem with a lead but a little thread sealant on the threads solved the problem.
