Dig

I made this part for the left hand coolant channel on a GM SBC that has the heater return right under the left hand water pump flange. I'm using block adapters for an electric water pump so there was no off the shelf solution. Really happy with how this turned out - I think modelling the part and working from that model really helped.

Top right is the old one I made from steel. The plate is cut out all wonky and warped when I welded it so of course it leaked when the cooling system was at full pressure.

When tapping a hole I like to start the tap by hand in the drill press then transfer the workpiece to the vice and tap handle. That way the hole is always dead straight.