Has any done this and left it out? (using an electric water pump) Not needing it in ther anymore, Is there an oil passage in the block to feed the bearing oil?
I have taking mine out and i am having oil pressure problems was wondering if this may have something to do with it or not

 

I just took out the internals of the WP, plugged the WP hole, then removed the gear sticking out of the timing cover and left it. No leaks.

-Dustin-

 

i left the gear and bearing sticking out of the timing chain cover there so i wouldnt have to worry about filling in the hole...it wont leak and works just as good without removing it

 

Here is a picture of what I did.

http://www.akgaming.com/~kendall/images/100_0019.jpg

Used a freeze plug for the block.

 

I am not aware of any oil passage to the w/p drive. Removing it should not affect pressure.

 

Its a roller bearing.. It doesn't use oil pressure it uses a oil splash.

I knocked mine out with a hammer then plugged the timing cover with a freeze plug. I did this because I wanted to use a traditional SBC timing set.

 

no need too plug the block opening and you shouldnt experience any oiling issues from this "modification"

 

Yeah I did the same, plugged the timing cover with a freeze plug and left the hole in the block.