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I have installed a new cloyes aluminum timing cover on my new small block. When I try to fit a new GMPP aluminum water pump the stamped steel backing plate for the pump contacts the timing cover. I need to gain about a 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch to get the pump to sit properly. The purpose of the stamping in the steel cover appears to allow for water to fully envelope the vane in the pump and minimize cavitation. How much can this bulge in the cover be reduced and not end up with cavitation problems in the pump. Its easy to fabricate a new steel cover with a reduced bulge but I don't want to end up with cooling problems. What is the minimum distance from the pump vane to the backing plate for proper water pump function. Anyone else have this problem. Spacing the pump out from the block is my absolute last resort.
Are you sure it is the cover touching and not the bolts?
I also had a touching issue between my Cloyes cover and GMPP water pump. I replaced the bolts on the back of the water pump with allen wrench button head screws. When I bolted the pump down, it did touch slightly but sealed fine and has no leaks.
I tried the pump with bolts removed and I still have the problem. I also have ground the heads on the cam stop cover bolts.It is definatly the steel cover that is hitting.