Ok, I bought a new water pump and was in the process of installing it yesterday/last night when the shaft coming from the motor connecting to the water pump snapped. Now im looking into installing a electric water pump instead of installing a new "shaft". Its my understanding that you gut the old water pump and seal the holes (weap hole, ect.) How do I run all the electrical, or is it pretty much step by step in the kit? And do I need to modify anything in the electrical system? And what would be a recommended good brand, maybe something I could get locally?

 

A search should find you electric pump install instructions. How in the heck do you snap the drive shaft?

 

Well i've searched a few times, my dad has as well, but he wanted me to double check. And a friend of mine that is a certified ASE mechanic came over to help, it was around 11 pm and we couldnt see what we were doing, he decided to pry on the water pump while I went inside and made some food to eat. Today I finally got the water pump off the correct way and found out that his prying had snapped the shaft... One quick question, if I decide to go the electric water pump way, what do i do with the shaft stub? Would it be ok to just leave it or what should I do? I can take pics if needed.

 

Meziere and CSR make good electric pumps. If you want a no-frills method of wiring the pump, Painless makes a wiring kit, although most folks will opt to just wire in a relay switched to a 12v source.

You can leave the water pump stub drive protruding from the timing cover.

 

Ok, thanks for everyone's help in the past two days with this problem, its been a huge headache and its been nice having advice and help along the way.

 

Wow, that's the first I've heard of a water pump shaft breaking.

 

When you pry on stuff you are not supposed to... Sadly, another black eye for the ASE certified mechanics.

For the OP, the sealing surface of the shaft must still be there for the seal to hold back any oil. If that part is damaged or broken, then you are going to have to open 'er up to get the shaft out.

 

Would you like for me to take a pic of it? Because thats one thing I am concerned about...

 

If you are are concerned, I would post up a pic and get opinions. The water pump drive shaft seal can gush some pretty good amounts of oil when it is compromised.

 

 

It doesn't look like the sealing surface is compromised, but it does look like the seal is leaking, even now. It might be beneficial to replace the seal (and maybe other cover seals) while you have it down this far. The opti will have to come off.

That's a grimy engine.

Some helpful seal install info:
http://www.impalasuperstore.com/nais...TOPIC_ID=30984

 

Thanks, I'll have to take a look into that and like you said, now would be the smartest time to do it. Do you think it would be fine if I left it the way it is, or do I pretty much need to replace the seal?

Grimy engine, yes. I took those pics before I started cleaning things up, its a little cleaner now. Any suggestions on a easy/good way to clean things up a little bit?

And wow, that link you gave seems like it's pretty straight forward. Thanks a bunch!