I'm starting final assembly of my engine and it will have a elec water pump, Is there a process of blocking the hole in the block where the water pump drive used to be. I would think if it was left open there could be to much oil splash onto the timing chain assembly, causing parasitic drag. or is it even a issuse?

 

No need to plug the block.

 

leave the part that protrudes from the engine. Just remove the connector piece that "mates" the protrusion from the engine to the one in the water pump housing... doh... if you're insatlling electric, you've got to remove the mechanical one anyway, so like the first guy said... You don't have to do anything. Just leave the part that sticks out of the engine alone.