Jay68, I looked at some of your earlier posts. I think you changed your timing cover...

If you have an 8 bolt pump: 2 plates. I just redid mine this week. My plates almost "snap" into place into to timing cover. Are your divider plates excessively coroded/rusted? They may need to be renewed.

11 bollt water pump: the plate would bolt into place, along with the pump.

ALSO...if you haven't already done this...check the clearance between the impellor and the plate(s). It should be 0.060 MAX. If greater, get the hammer out and "gently" bend the center of the plate. There's a detailed thread on the PY forum regarding this under Heating and Cooling..."Chalk another one up for the cast impellor..."