4G63 DOHC RWD swap Water Pump Freeze Plug Question

[Freundschaft]

Hey everybody! I'm performing a DOCH swap into a L300 delica van at the moment and am aware of the multiple options for the water pump swap, but was curious if anybody here ever considered just removing the freeze plug from the DOHC pump and attaching a pipe to the freeze plug opening, instead of replacing the DOHC pump with the SOHC pump.

That way Id be able to keep the old water pipe that goes to the rear and wouldnt have any issues with the water pump pulley height either.

Any ideas?

This is a sample picture of how someone else solved the issue, but not using the freeze plug:



I just thought, why not remove the freeze plug and just put a pipe in there?
Anyone who has tried it, and is there any reason why it shouldnt be done?

[Freundschaft]

I went through with my plan, since that allows me to keep the stock power steering bracket and water pump pulley

basically looks like this now:



For the rear water outlet I have decided to stick with it and produce a short flange with an AN16 adapter welded to it. I'll CNC a flange and post more info.

[Freundschaft]

So far the CNC modell I created in Autodesk Fusion: https://a360.co/2jYVxOx