I keep watching this thread with shaking head.  It would appear that
some might be trying to discourage others from doing their own water
pump replacements.

The water pump went out, while traveling, in my '84 air conditioned 7
passenger and I changed the pump in a NAPA parking lot in New Jersey.  I
started just after 8 am, when they opened, and was back on the freeway
before noon.  Of course, I do carry a fairly complete tool box.

I replaced the pump on my '85 (also air conditioned) in my driveway and
it took about 4 hours but I wasn't "On the clock" so I didn't hurry.

I replaced the pump on a friends '88 in my driveway and it took just
under 3 hours.

None of these jobs, BTW, invoked the use of "Persuasive" language.

Mike
Houlton, Maine