So I'm currently working on changing the water pump on my '97 4.2LV6, and there's a bracket between the water pump and A/C compressor bracket.
The V8 water pump(s) seem to be shaped different, and not have this weird bracket, which makes it hard to find information on.

I was able to get it off alright with a normal rachet. On the way back in the top bolt, (which goes through the A/C compressor bracket and into the block, I think. ) refuses to go all the way back in. I don't know if some rust/dust came down when I took it out and is plugging it, or if I need to move something for a straighter hole.
(there is a spot from above where a lump of dirt could have been on top after 20 years.)
The bolt in question is a 7-1/4 inch long 16mm. (at least that's the socket I've been using)

In trying to put it in (still just hand tools) I fear I may have slightly stripped the hole/threads in the block that it screws into. (Just one small bit, but enough that the bolt just spins with no progress, though it still turns to come back out)
So the main questions are:

How important is this bracket/bolt, and how bad is it if it doesn't go in all the way?
Is there something I have to move up/down to make it go in?
How can I try and clean out the hole? I don't have an air compressor and don't want to stick anything too sharp in for risk if damaging the possibly already messed up threads.

More importantly: If this bolt is really important and I slightly stripped the hole in the block. Am I just completely screwed?

Also. There's a metal "Y" pipe going into the top of the water pump. (From AC I'm guessing) it looks like it just presses in (has an O-ring) is there any east way to get it back in without taking off the AC Lines above it?

Images below. Any help is always appreciated. Even if it is just to tell me I ruined the whole thing.
.

Location of bracket between AC pump and water pump



close view of bracket


Side view: About 1/2-1 inch left to go in.


Spot form above I think dirt could have fallen in that i could have compacted.

 

do you have a can of compressed air available? like a computer cleaning type of canned air?

 

The spouts on those aren't quite long enough to get all the way through the A/C Bracket, or in from the top.
(An air compressor is one of the next things on my tools list to get, just not planning on it quite yet.)

 

Sounds like you need to remove things again so you can see exactly what is going on with the threads in that hole.

If they are stripped you may try a thread chaser to clean them up or you may have to try some form of repair kit.

 

Are you sure that is the correct bolt for that location?

 

Yep. Only one long enough and the bottom one wont come out without taking off AC compressor.

 

Thank you guys for all tips! I got the hole cleaned out which moved it in about an extra 1/2 inch. That last 1/8-ish I believe is actually a space that was supposed to be there (between the two brackets on that one bolt.) I was trying to push the bracket too much since I didn't have the lower bolts in all the way yet.

Once It's all back together I'll have to flush it cause It's green coolant in there and I got gold. so that's fun. ( I was planning on flushing anyways, but this ended up being so much trouble I was gonna wait on that part.)

Thanks again!