As for advice, I'll say that first off, it's not as bad to do as people make it out to be. Since you've already changed the water pump, you've already done the majority of the work. If any of the welded nuts seem to be loose, you can weld them on better since the plate will already be off. I'll also add that you do not have to remove the IP gear housing. You can slip the cover out of the bottom by sliding the bottom of the cover away from the block and then dropping the cover down as you're pulling it free. To reinstall it, just reverse the steps.