what needs to be done to put one in? I see people change timing chains when doing it. Why?
-Mike

 

I changed my timing chain because I pulled the cover to get rid of the water pump drive and thought I might as well put it in while I had the cover off. You do not need to replace it or remove the drive to install an electric W/P.

 

Normally it is because people change the timing set to one that has no drive for the mechanical pump. Therefore, they must put on an electric pump.

 

I've heard of people leaving the WP drive shaft in the engine when converting to an electric. However, I definitely wouldn't recommend doing that.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2189634

 

Why not leave it in? I know a lot of people who have. It doesn't hurt a thing.

Also, here is a good write up on EWP installation:
http://ken.lowrance.com/projects/CSI...mp/Default.htm

 

Only one end of the WP drive shaft would be supported with the mechanical pump removed. With the pump end of the drive shaft removed and no bearing assembly to support the that end of the shaft (provide stabilization), the shaft "could" oscillate off the centerline with wear and eat-up the gear on the back of the cam sprocket. Additionally, there is no longer any gear drive loading on the shaft, which could also be a problem. People may have gotten away with doing this, although, it could be a ticking time-bomb in your engine.

Does anyone have any practical experience with leaving the drive shaft in and then having problems with it?

 

Yeah, there was another post about it a few months ago where i suggested taking it out for the reasons already mentioned. Some guy piped up saying his had indeed grenaded aftera while of being in there and littered the engine with metal. All i has for support on the front end without the water pump coupling in there is a seal lip.

 

Exactly. Its easy to remove the gear. Remove the two torx head bolts, tap the rear of it with a 3/8" drive and it falls right out. I had a good friend of mine weld and aluminum plate over the old hole for the shaft.

 

Hmm, I left mine in.
Maybe I'll remove it while I have the timing cover off to replace the gasket anyhow.

 

I took mine off, pressed the gear off of the WP driveshaft so that it would not be spinning, then put it back in. All it's doing now is serving as a hole plug.