Water pump housing shims
 

Do the 12a water pump housings require shims? Searching didn't bring about an answer so before I go searching for shims and rip off my pump housing I thought I would ask.

Yes.

Why do you need to rip off your pump housing? Forget to install them?

All you need is something the same compressed thickness as the gasket. Paper would do the trick.

Thanks for the reply. I'm fairly certain I neglected to install them. The engine was assembled a while back and has yet to be started. Today while searching for various other answers to questions I have I read a thread where someone mentioned water pump housing shims. I don't recall using them. I used high temp rtv in place of a paper gasket. If the shims are only there to make up for the thickness of the gasket does this mean I may be just fine as is....unless the rtv springs a leak of course?

Of course. Only if. I'd leave it alone.

Shims are 0.020 thick, if you can find them.

Thanks for the assistance fellas. That's pretty thin and while I've tried to look for variance in the mating surface and to possibly see a shim (if that's possible) I see nothing. It appears to be well sealed but time will tell.

yeah the mating surfaces are flat.