Water Pump/Timing Cover Interference

[Yellow Truck]

Wow, I should stop reading the other threads on this forum. After reading about Jay's driveshaft speed sensor and Cruisin63's twin turbo projects I'm embarrassed to ask my questions here.

Well, in the spirit that everyone has to start somewhere, here I go. Following drdano's excellent leak-less timing cover instructions - http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=759.msg6172#msg6172 - I did a test fit and everything looks good except the center bottom bolt on the back of the Milodon water pump touches the timing cover.

I can hope that when it is all torqued down it clears, or I can do one of the following:

• let them touch
• grind the bolt back a bit
• add a small bit of cushioning (bit of flat rubber) between the bolt and timing cover

Given drdano suggested test fitting the water pump I gather this is not that unusual. I would appreciate some guidance from those of you who know better than me (that would be pretty much all of you).

Thanks.

[fekbmax]

I have used a couple of those pumps for some truck Street builds and had the same prob. All I did was a slight touch with the grinder and all was good. I don't think it would have really hurt anything but you know, piece of mind is always worth something.

[thatdarncat]

I've never had an issue with the stock Ford pumps so maybe it's a Milodon specific issue? Anyway - could you maybe substitute a different bolt, like a button head, in that one position?