Hello Folks,
I am putting an S4 engine in
To my first gen and I have a question for you. Do you use one very thin washer on the stud furthest away from the water passages between the block and water hosing? A couple of my first gen cars have this washer, which help to stop leaks between the block and the steel water housing, but I do not know if you use this with an aluminum housing.
Thanks ~ JEB

 

The thin washers (there are two of them) go on the two studs that do not have a gasket. They should always be used.

 

Thanks Aaron,
On your recomendation I went an ordered them from Mazda to make sure I installed the right ones.
Thanks!

 

What exactly are they for? Just to make the water pump level and flush?

I put them on mine but was confused as to why.

 

I guess they make up for the thickness of the gasket, so you won't warp the housing when you torque it down...

 

Ya, they keep keep the water housing flush so that it does not leak on the other side (opposite of the washers).

 

Well, I just got the water housing washers today and I thought I would post the thickness of them for anyone needing toi make their own - .021 inch.

 

Although the question In hand was asked for s4 Engines, It shouldn't be misunderstood that s5 Water Pumps need the Shims...b'c they don't. I learned the hard way.