during installation, i inserted the wrong bolt (too short) into the top hole of the oil pump and stripped some of the threading in the hole... ouch... i backed it out and cleaned the hole out.. i thought that since i probably needed a new timing chain cover anyway, i'd just try again with the correct bolt. it threaded into the remaining threads and i torqued it to the spec 18ft/lbs and it seems fine. my question is, should i trust it? continue assembling motor more carefully, or stop and get a new chain cover just to be sure???

 

anyone? i could use some opinions on this...

 

Run it. You only need 3 threads to get proper hold. If you got the specified torque, I'd be good with that.