Hi, I have a Whirlpool water heater, and the thermocouple went out on it. Thinking it would be an easy fix I went to the store to get one and found that my particular model could not be replaced because it is a widespread issue and Whirlpool is offering conversion kits to solve the problem.

Anyway I got my conversion kit in the mail and installed it, and I have a simple question.

When I removed the old manifold, one of the two screws broke off in the screw whole, gave it a twist and the head fell right off... but also, even if that didn't happen the holes on the new manifold don't line up with the water heater correctly.

So at the moment I only have the right screw in, will this hurt anything? I read the warnings in the instructions and on the heater itself, but is this really something to be concerned with, or is there just a danger of the flame igniting chemicals like with the older models?

I don't have anything flammable stored anywhere near the vicinity of my water heater so if that is the only issue I won't worry about it.

Lastly, if it is cause for concern, would it hurt anything to grab a self tapper and make a new hole?

Thanks!