When changing over to an electric water pump, is it ok not to completely block of the hole where the water pump drive is? We knocked the shaft out of the bearing and put the bearing back in. I just ran across an install guide and they used a freeze plug to block it off. Any ill effects not blocking this hole off completely? Please tell me this timing cover isn't coming off again. Thanks

 

SEal it up and seal it up good.... don't half *** the Water pump... it WILL come back to bite you in the ***.

 

your asking for a leak by doing that.. and if it leaks there it will leak on your opti..

Use the brass freeze plug and seal it right

 

I think he's talking about where the water pump drive seats into the block seperating the lifter valley and the timing cover galley.

I left it open on mine, and know of several other people that did so as well. Using a freeze plug won't hurt, but so will NOT using one.

 

Maybe I didn't make myself clear on the point in question. RamAir did figure out what I was trying to ask, and I'm glad to hear that I shouldn't have a problem. Thanks guys.

 

oh yeah oops.. Yeah i left the shaft in with the bearing... I do not know what it looks like without the shaft in the bearing.. i would think there would be an opening??

i left the shaft free to spin incase i decided Electric water pumps suck and wanted to switch back... SO far about 7000 miles and the electric pump works like a charm.. Bleeding the system is also great.. just turn ignition to the on position and the pump cylces through and bleeds the system.

 

A buddy of mine that builds these engines all the time told me to take the bearing out and leave the hole open. He said it'll let a little extra oil get to the timing chain this way. Also said something about threading the hole in the cover and putting in a 3/4" (I think that was the size) plug.

 

I removed the shaft and plugged it with a freeze plug.

 

Pulled the shaft and left it open. Saw no reason to plug it since it already had openings.