water pump

[ford_302]

went to fill the new motor and radiator and my water pump starts leaking, the pump has two holes in it, both where the shaft goes through, one on top and one on bottom. they look like they came from the factory that way, there both perfect holes about a 1/4 inch. i mean they look like a perfect machine job, the problem is that its the one that came on the truck and when i rebuilt the new motor i took it off, cleaned it and it sat on a table for 8 months, it never leaked before, are there seals that need to be replaced? or can i tap it and plug it?

 

[Yardape]

Those holes are there as a pre warning that your pump is going to go. They are supposed to leak telling you it needs replacement. No you cannot plug them, just fix it right, a waterpump is much cheaper than heads if you warp them from overheating