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F8's were produced in a lot of different years....without knowing model/year I'll have to guess. If by "shift rod passage" you mean where the shift shaft and drive shaft join, and you're seeing water coming out...no, that's not normal. There is a water tube that runs from water pump up through mid section and up to block. Water doesn't escape this tube, it escapes through intended exits via cooling system.
Is there water coming out of tell-tale?