Yes, Scott – they do go between the housing and the block – if I stated otherwise, I was in error.  In  other words, since the gasket moves the housing away from the block – that part of the housing that does not have the gasket support should have the shims to provide support to the housing when you tighten the nut down.  I would say if you used a more-than-standard gasket thickness-wise, then you would probably need more shims. 

The only other thing I can think of is to lay a flat edge around the housing and the block area to make certain both are flat.  Check for nicks in either around the sealing area, etc.  I know you probably have already done this, but doesn’t hurt to mention it.

When I use silicon sealant I put it around all the bolts and do not use the shims.

Ed

Yeah, I did install those shims. In the previous post those would be the studs at #2 and #4. And I deduced from mazdatrix's site they would go between the housing and the block. Not between the housing and nut. Though as I am using a sandwhich plate and there are 2 gaskets in use one between the block and the sandwhich plate, the 2nd between the sandwhich plate and the water pump housing. So I should have used 2 shims per stud. What doesn't seem to fit in is the amount of seepage/ leakage that occured. As can be seen from the YouTube video seepage only from the #3, no where around that hole was leaking. But with the lack of evidence to support another conclusion I'll double the shims and hope for the best. If I were to forgo the combo gasket smeared with silicone approach would the shims still be required?





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