Water Pump ?s

[TRH]

I've gotten all the gaskets for my shiney new water pump & everything I've removed from my 89 Ranger, but caught myself on a snag.
Two of the water pump bolts rounded off during removal and had..well, come out the hard way. Needless to say, the heads on them are..mangled.

Can I just grab a matching, generic bolt from a hardware store, or is there somewhere I can order/buy them? I can't seem to find anywhere that actually sells a water pump bolt for the 2.9. Only really want to call the dealer parts dept. as a last resort.

And another question, is it absolutely necessary to stick the gasket on with RTV, or is it just to simplify the installation? Thanks.

 

[fordboi415]

as long as the grade of bolt, thread pattern and length are all the same you'll be fine. the rtv doubles as a glue holding the gasket in place to simplify the installation and give a better seal as well

 

[holyford86]

I went and replaced mine with the matching length grade 8.8 bolts even though they all came out, Kind of as a cheap insurance policy.

 

[TRH]

Thanks.
Got some matching 8.8s from the local Fastenal, flanged and all, went together nicely.

Now the only problem is finding a pulley and more free time from work...

 

[loneranger48]

in my 87 ranger i snaped off the studs that go threw the timing cover and had to order a new timing chain cover from like indonesia or something it was a b**** and it all happened just cuz my water pump whent out.

 

[pfcosta]

I went and replaced mine with the matching length grade 8.8 bolts even though they all came out, Kind of as a cheap insurance policy.

Hello. Can you tell me if they were all the same length. I pulled my water pump and two bolts broke off.So far the ones I pulled were the same size and length. They broken ones seem to be going into the timing chain cover which I will have to pull to replace the gasket that was leaking coolant. I'm hoping I can get the broke bolts out with a little heat and tlc. But I do want to replace with all new bolts.