[MosportGreen66]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bergy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree. The pad dimension is established in the machining operation that locates the block off of &quot;as cast&quot; pads. Since the castings varied slightly - the thickness of the machined pad varied as well. One &quot;tell&quot; however, is the &quot;lip&quot; on the water pump casting when it bolts up to the block (the distance that the water pump sticks above or below the pad). Since the water pump mounting bolt holes are established from the same locating pads as the head face, there should be some consistency in &quot;lip&quot; area. I've seen some &quot;original&quot; stamps where the water pump sticks up way above the pad stamp area. It's not a 100% &quot;tell&quot; of a decked block, but certainly bad juju. JMHO </div></div>

Hi Bruce, wouldn't that assume that the water pump is factory born with original [not only an OEM unit but also to the car]? What was the sequence of installation at the factory? If the water pump was installed at the time of the broaching process (which in my opinion established absolute deck height) than maybe the observation holds weight but if we do not understand the process of broaching then I respectfully disagree and I think we could get in trouble using it as a means of passing judgment on what could be an original pad stamp.

Dan