Water Pump & Thermostat Housing torquing specs

[AzBrewsky]

OK.. Putting a new water pump and a new thermostat in my S14 KA24DE (stock).

I read in the manual that the water requires 12-14 ft-lb (144-168 in. lbs) and the thermostat housing needs 4.7 - 5.5 in-lbs (56.4-66 ft lbs). Well when installing the new water pump, the freaking water pump housing broke at the bolt in two locations!! The 12-14 ft-lbs on the water pump seems like an excessive amount..

So either it's a crappy water pump housing, or the FSM is wrong (I will lean to a crappy water pump casting).. The housing appears as aluminum and was purchased at Napa Auto parts..

When tightening the bolts, I got them real snug and worked in a criss-cross pattern (5 bolts) and starting torquing them. It just never felt right to begin with!!

Ideas?? Thoughts?? Did I do something wrong? I used the gasket and put a nice layer of blue heat gasket sealant and even thread-loc on the bolts..

Thanks and any info would be appreciated!!

AzBrewsky