• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

I SCREWED UP!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Legendary
  • Start date Start date May 6, 2004

Legendary

Founding Member
Oct 10, 2002
1,925
0
0
City of Angels
May 6, 2004
#1
  • May 6, 2004
  • #1
Earlier today I stated I had a broken bolt on one of the top holes in the water pump. I was going to drill it out. Well..... I drilled it out alright. I also ended up making the exit hole for the bolt bigger! I thought I had the drill straight but obviously not. Is the location of the hole going to cause a leak or worst, a mixture of coolant and oil? Check out the pics. The hole without the bolt is the hole that I drilled. I'm I going to have to replace the timing chain cover??
 
K

kevin2m4

New Member
Mar 16, 2004
50
0
0
Barrie Ontario Canada
May 7, 2004
#2
  • May 7, 2004
  • #2
can you tap it and shove in an oversize bolt?
 

TT91

Active Member
May 23, 2003
1,536
0
36
Paramus, NJ
May 7, 2004
#3
  • May 7, 2004
  • #3
Youll be fine, there are no oil passages or water passages that run ANYWHERE remotely close to that bolt. You could essentially run a slimmer bolt and nut and secure it that way, or u can, like stated above, run a slightly larger bolt. Did u damage the threads? its hard to tell from the pictures...but no worries, youll be OK!
 

Legendary

Founding Member
Oct 10, 2002
1,925
0
0
City of Angels
May 7, 2004
#4
  • May 7, 2004
  • #4
I have the BIGGEST smile on my face right now. I was already going through my bank account and seeing how much I had to spend! The threads still hold the bolt but since half of them are gone I don't think I should trust it! So Mr. sureshot, are you sure?

One last question. There were a total of three different bolts that I had to take out the water pump to replace them with the new ones from the kit. There was some coolant that came out during this transfer. Do you think I damaged my water pump gasket in any way?
 

TT91

Active Member
May 23, 2003
1,536
0
36
Paramus, NJ
May 7, 2004
#5
  • May 7, 2004
  • #5
NO you shouldnt have damaged you gasket in anyway. Did the actual water pump at any time seperate itself from the timing cover? The bolts up top dont have any coolant flowing near it, so theres not need to worry about leaking fro up top.
 

Legendary

Founding Member
Oct 10, 2002
1,925
0
0
City of Angels
May 7, 2004
#6
  • May 7, 2004
  • #6
The pump itself never separated from the timing chain cover. I basically just removed the bolts and put them back. Thanks for the help!



sirsureshot39 for mod!
 

TT91

Active Member
May 23, 2003
1,536
0
36
Paramus, NJ
May 7, 2004
#7
  • May 7, 2004
  • #7
As long as it didnt break the seal(because there may be sealant in there) youll be fine. How much threads do u have left? Do u honestly believe its enough thread to hold a bolt in there? or would you feel more confident using a slightly thinner bolt and nut on the backside?
 

Legendary

Founding Member
Oct 10, 2002
1,925
0
0
City of Angels
May 7, 2004
#8
  • May 7, 2004
  • #8
I put the water pump on myself (last year) and I used a lot of gasket sealent. I don't know if any broke loose but I know some coolant came out when I untighten the bolts. It wasn't a lot and it barely made a spot on the ground.

I thread a 5/16 bolt in there and it held but I don't know about holding under pressure. Since 5/16 is the original size for the hole can I just get a longer bolt the same size and screw it where the back is sticking out and put a nut on that?

Once I'm all done I'm still not ready to start up. I still have the find the right belt size!
 

TT91

Active Member
May 23, 2003
1,536
0
36
Paramus, NJ
May 7, 2004
#9
  • May 7, 2004
  • #9
Legendary said:
.

I thread a 5/16 bolt in there and it held but I don't know about holding under pressure. Since 5/16 is the original size for the hole can I just get a longer bolt the same size and screw it where the back is sticking out and put a nut on that?
Click to expand...

Thats a really good idea. Find a bolt, same size, with longer threads, and secure it with a nut on that backside. Good thinking!
 

Legendary

Founding Member
Oct 10, 2002
1,925
0
0
City of Angels
May 7, 2004
#10
  • May 7, 2004
  • #10
Thanks for the help man! I should be able to know this out when I get off work.
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
May 7, 2004
#11
  • May 7, 2004
  • #11
Get a 5/16" Helicoil thread insert & tap from the auto parts store. That will restore the threads & strenght back to orginal specs. You would probably have to remove the water pump to install the helicoil, so you may want to hold off until the pump needs to come off.

Now you know why my water pump bolt fixit kit post had a drill bushing in it. The drill bushing keeps you from drilling the hole off center and helps prevent thread damage.
 

Legendary

Founding Member
Oct 10, 2002
1,925
0
0
City of Angels
May 7, 2004
#12
  • May 7, 2004
  • #12
jrichker said:
Now you know why my water pump bolt fixit kit post had a drill bushing in it. The drill bushing keeps you from drilling the hole off center and helps prevent thread damage.
Click to expand...


YES! I'm glad I learned a lesson without having to pay the price!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
86 GT Water Pump
  • Kade5114
  • May 11, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
101
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 11, 2026
nickyb
T
Fox Help Request: Clutch Cable Installation on T5 Swap — I Can’t Find the Mounting Hole
  • TDM389
  • Feb 19, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
170
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 19, 2026
nickyb
'67-68 Scott Drake Trap Door w/6x9 Speaker Pods
  • bchampion
  • Jun 15, 2025
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
283
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 16, 2025
bchampion
9
Engine Donor '00 Mountaineer meet '91 Fox
  • 91firecracker
  • May 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
41
Views
931
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 28, 2026
91firecracker
9
S
5.0 Rebuild
  • smittys7up
  • Nov 29, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
587
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Dec 20, 2025
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?