The only way oil can get to the passge in the oil pump for the oil pump bolts is to have pressure between th epump and the block on the area around the bolts, which the stock oil pump gasket gasket should prevent I use to make my own oil pump to the block gaskets when using a external oil system to prevent the loss of oil prime to the pumps when sitting for more than ten days, I made them so they cover both the suction side of the stock pump to the block and the pressure side hole next to the oil pump stem that goes up into the block Good luck Let us know what you find and do, all gremlins will challenge us hot rodders more than once