Electric Water Pump Install
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
The best solution is to remove the drive gear and shaft and plug the hole. This requires removal of the timing cover.
Some folks just leave it in place.
Do you want to do it the right way or the easy way?
Some folks just leave it in place.
Do you want to do it the right way or the easy way?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Grand Terrace California
pictures in repair manuals make it look as tho the timing chain
and gear would have to be removed. Short answer, the easy way
if it is safe and reliable.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,589
Likes: 0
From: DrunkDefender
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
CI-IV AutoX Champ
CI-IV Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '07-'10
I wasnt comfortable leaving it in place and removed it. I was also replacing my opti at the same time as well. Its a PITA but I have more peace of mind this way since I spin my motor to 6700 on a regular basis. I was able to lossen the cam gear and pull the splined shaft/bearing for the water pump drive off at that time. If you go that far its not really any more work for a cam swap, something to consider.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Grand Terrace California
I wasnt comfortable leaving it in place and removed it. I was also replacing my opti at the same time as well. Its a PITA but I have more peace of mind this way since I spin my motor to 6700 on a regular basis. I was able to lossen the cam gear and pull the splined shaft/bearing for the water pump drive off at that time. If you go that far its not really any more work for a cam swap, something to consider.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,589
Likes: 0
From: DrunkDefender
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
CI-IV AutoX Champ
CI-IV Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '07-'10
There lies the problem I had. The drive shaft is not supported at both ends and "along for the ride". Once you remove the water pump its only supported by the bearing that is pressed into the block at the lifter valley. If the engine is out of the car go ahead and remove it. Its very simple if the motor is out of the vehicle. JMO.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Grand Terrace California
There lies the problem I had. The drive shaft is not supported at both ends and "along for the ride". Once you remove the water pump its only supported by the bearing that is pressed into the block at the lifter valley. If the engine is out of the car go ahead and remove it. Its very simple if the motor is out of the vehicle. JMO.
There is not a bushing in the timing chain cover???
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Grand Terrace California
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 11
From: Macon Georgia
I do not remember, but I can tell you that I got all of my freeze plugs from Advance Auto Parts, they have a really good selection "for some reason"
just mock it and see, if it is just a hair to big for the hole then thats it and go get the same size, if not, they sell them in fractions.
just mock it and see, if it is just a hair to big for the hole then thats it and go get the same size, if not, they sell them in fractions.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Grand Terrace California
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 11
From: Macon Georgia
All of the LT motors are single chain gears because of the space constraints from the water pump drive gears, so if you do away withe the afore mentioned parts you can go to a double roller style chain, on the 96 model it has a relucator ring in front of the crank timing gear and a sensor that is a pick up for spark knock, you should be able to see the plug it is on the bottom passenger side of the timing cover.