So I buy a new 175.00 pump thinking it is going to do wonders keeping my motor cool. I install it and I drips ...so I know I took my time and made sure everything was clean and all the threads on any water passages are coated with RTV. It was only dripping...but it needed to be re-installed with a new gasket. I got around to it today and upon inspection I find that the bolts that hold the rear plate on the water pump have large heads on them...hmmm...So I look at the stocker and I know those bolts have more of a flat head.So I grind the Vic's bolt heads down to about half the size they were...now the two top ones do not touch the timing cover so I left them alone...I put on a new gasket and bolt it back on and guess what.....no water drip!!
poor thinking on Edelbrocks design for having larger heads on their water pumps...FYI guys.

So Edelbrock This one is for you.