Originally Posted by
onehundred80
None of this is required if you get the correct water pump.
I will not bother to say what is wrong with your fix, only that the holes are sized for a specific method of thread formation and it is not by use of a tap. If a tap was meant to be used you would not be able to thread the bolt in. I would not be satisfied with the strength of the threads formed by your method.
It makes them locking done this way, if you tap the thread 1st then thread locker, lock washer or something will be needed, the holes are not small enough to make deep enough threads, they are just sized so threads are only cut half way and the bolt can be used, that is fornthe bolts that mount to the water pump not bolts going through the water pump.
Spend hundreds more and weeks waiting to get a the same water pump if you want, but me 3 hours from my shop and tools and going home the next day, I was not going to wait for a water pump that I could buy in town and have it the next day with a lifetime warranty, where there is nothing wrong with it and meant to be done this way.