Bolt attaching water pump sheered off!

Replacing impeller on my motor has been a nightmare! First drive shaft was stuck and it took me 3-4hrs to break it free and remove the lower unit. Then one of the 4 bolts holding on the impeller housing sheered off in the block! tried to remove it with a screw extractor which broke off in the hole I drilled in the bolt. Then spent the next hr or so breaking and ruining assorted drill bits trying to drill a new hole through the hardened steel of the broken extractor, that wasn't going to happen so I decided to install impeller with only 3 bolts and hope for the best. Finally got everything back together and working(another hr getting the shift rod attached properly). Probably only spent 10hrs on a 1 hr job, unbelievable!

My main question is; Has anyone else experienced this and do you guys think the impeller will be ok with only 3 of 4 bolts holding it on?

I think the impeller will be ok.
Have I ever broke off an "easy out" on a bolt, sure, but my neighbor came over and knew how to fix it, just drill sloppy and go right thru the briggs&stratton block. Really helpful guy.
Tim

I think I will call a local machine shop and see if they can get it out for me.

They can. Normal cost (down here) is $35 per bolt. Removal, tap, and helicoil.

I'd run it on muffs or in a barrel , if its pumping ok ,I'd run it. On the 7.5 I sheered a bolt for the T-stat housing , permatex the gasket and let it sit over night. no leaks. Still good after 2 years.....

[url=https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=358356#p358356 said:

Charger25 » 05 Jul 2014, 07:30[/url]"]I'd run it on muffs or in a barrel , if its pumping ok ,I'd run it. On the 7.5 I sheered a bolt for the T-stat housing , permatex the gasket and let it sit over night. no leaks. Still good after 2 years.....

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I ran it with muffs yesterday and it was pissing fine, think I will run it a bit then remove lower unit and get the busted bolt removed by a machine shop.