I have to replace the w/p mine leaks once and a while, This maybe a dumb question, but the install guides i have read show that you have to take the timming cover off and remove the w/p drive. My question is could you just remove the drive coupling? If I remember correctly their is a sleeve that hooks the pump to the drive shaft comming out of the timming cover. Has anyone done just this I dont want to take the timming cover off if I dont absolutly have to. Is there enough room between drive and the back of the pump? Could this be done?? Any info would be great Thanks guys(and gals)

 

I believe you can leave the drive pulley in there. I removed mine because we were doing a complete rebuild anyway. Removing the drive gear frees up just a little extra friction, but I dont think enough to feel a seat of the pants difference. You should be fine with what you want to do.

 

I left mine in too.

 

You don't have to remove the drive gear.

 

You can just remove the shaft then just plug the hole, you don't have to remove the drive gear. You would just have to plug the hole from the outside of the timing cover. I had the timing cover off when I did mine so I removed the gear and then used a nut, bolt, washer and rtv to plug the hole in the cover. You could plug it with something like a quarter and JB weld which some people have done and they say it has worked fine.