The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop cork gasket water pump

Had to replace pump on Betsy.Found one online.It came with paper gasket.It dripped near the long bolt hole so i took it apart checked it put (new gasket) back on same story.I remembered the old gasket was made of cork and really thick.Found some sheet cork made my own( X2)to get the thickness and used old fashion Gasket Shellac. No more Dripping.

If you are using extra gaskets that are thicker I would check the pulley alignment. I wouldn't recommend a cork gasket for a water pump. Most auto parts stores sell gasket material that is of a good quality. Some of the re manufactured pumps do come with a poor quality gasket.

You might check that the bolt isn't bottoming out. The bolts
from the factory are not standard length, they are special.
Often they are misplaced and a hardware store replacement bolt
is used in its place. With the lock washer crushed it appears
that it's tight but in reality it is bottomed out just a
fraction of a turn before it is actually tight against the pump
body. This gives the impression that the gasket is bad and not
making a seal or suggests there is a minute crack in the pump or
block. You should not need a cork or thick paper gasket for the
water pump a stock 1/32" gasket with Permatex #2 is perfectly adequate.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Thanks guys but no leaks yet and i will wait till pump goes bad to change it again.Bolt are not bottoming and have lock washers on all.