71 Challenger - water pump bolts leak?

[Roctania]

Fresh engine, just fired last week.  Came up to temp OK

ONE teensy drip leak, looks like it might be from water pump gasket or bolts?

I did not do the engine but I did replace the WP bolts with button heads that March provided with their FailFest multigroove belt system.  The WP bolts were SO SHORT that they engage 1 or at most 2 threads in the aftermarket aluminum WP housing.

Nothing was said about sealing these bolts so no sealer was used. 

Do these bolt holes go into the pressurized water area on the shiny aftermarket AL WP housing?

Evidently I will be removing these to seal and inspect, and will likely take the time to go buy longer proper fasteners and maybe even countersink and convert to flat head screws to better clear the Stu Pidasso pulley I was forced to use.

Thanks for any input you can offer.

[Roctania]

more Challenges...

the MARCH multi-groove alt pulley had to be pressed on.  the feller that did that failed to dismantle the alt and support the shaft properly so the armature ended up pressed into the brushes which ate a brush holder.  Moved the aft end bearing out a little too.  Pulley cannot be pulled of w/o damage to it?

After a long time troubleshooting tonight, the NO SPARK problem was traced to...  POOR CRIMPED BUTT SPLICES in repairing the age-old pickup wires.  Only after deciding that it had to be a problem with the distributor, and pulling it out [which brought the drive gear out also] was the problem found.  Wires crimped w/o the proper tool, then covered with black tape instead of my usual favorite- glue lined heat shrink tubing. 

When I went to buy new proper button head bolts for the water pump, I did not have the size info so I bought 5/16-18 x 1".... too bad the bolts are 3/8-16!   No joy there... go back to ignition system troubleshooting. 

[Dmichels]

Many times the water pump bolts go into the jacket. I always liquid thread sealer on these. It keeps them from rusting in place too. I do not like crimped on connectors. I always solder and use shrink tubing. I am sorry you are having so many problems, I hope you can get them sorted out with out too much grief

[fy469rtse]

Typical after market kit, half fits
I would get longer bolts and seal threads , you were on the right track with your thinking , you just needed some confirm what you were thinking to do 

[Roctania]

Thanks, guys

Have proper bolts coming today

I believe this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221669231844?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

will revive the distributor properly.

[John_Kunkel]

Copper washers will stop the pump bolts from leaking.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/DAG0/725013/N0248.oap?ck=Search_N0248_-1_-1&pt=N0248&ppt=C0142

[Roctania]

Engine builder suggested sillycone
I have seen too much silicone broken free inside the engine, so I prefer Form-A-Gasket #2 non-hardening. 

got the proper stainless button head *3/8* inch bolts today. 

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/73815?searchMode=productSearch&filterByVendingMachine=