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I saw a related earlier thread but decided to start a new one for my question.
I have a 2001 vintage GM 350 crate engine in my C2 Corvette. While checking it for an minor oil leak I noticed the hole beneath the fuel pump mounting block. This photo of someone else's engine shows the location.
The earlier thread mentioned this hole being threaded for a bolt. On my engine, which has never had a mechanical fuel pump, the hole appears to have something similar to a freeze plug inserted. My inspecting showed a small fractured hole at the top of that plug. That leaves me with several questions.
First, what might cause that hole?
Second, how is the plug removed?
Third, how is a replacement plug installed?
Finally, would a hole in that location cause a large oil leak? I ask because any leakage appears to have been small.
My research has yielded what sounds like the answers to my questions. A local source identified that hole as one used to help when installing a mechanical fuel pump. As my crate engine came from the factory without a mechanical fuel pump, that hole, which is normally tapped and plugged with a short bolt, was left untapped and filled with a plug. To fix mine I'll need to remove the plug, tap the hole and install a short bolt.
Hole under fuel pump mount
