1984 GSL-SE. I have a new water pump with the gaskets. It includes two "shims," metal washers, for the number 2 and 4 bolt. The Mazda book says without these pieces for the 84 and 85 13B, the water pump will leak. Does anyone know if they:

go between the bolt head and the water pump itself
or
between the face of the water pump and the block?

The books I have don't really explain this.

Thanks.

 

they go on the 2 water pump housing to block studs that aren't on the gasket. if you measure it, they are about the same thickness as a compressed gasket, so their mission in life is to let the water pump housing be straight so the gasket doesn't leak

 

If I had a pic it would be easier, but basically they go on the studs, between the engine and water pump housing, that DO NOT also have a gasket on them. There is a gasket between the engine and water pump housing, which has studs, there are two other studs, toward the passenger side of the engine, that do not get a gasket, but need the shims to make everything tighten down even.

If you are just replacing the water pump and it's gasket (I would not recommend this) and not touching the water pump to engine gasket, then this is a non issue, but again typically you would replace both gaskets...

Hopefully that helps!


Edit - J9fd3s beat me to it!

 

Next week I will be changing this and the radiator and this and that and so I need all the help I can get