Just have your mechanic replace the thermostat if you replace the water pump. If you have kept up on oil changes then you might get by just replacing the main chain, guides, tensioner and oil nozzle. That is also available in a less expensive kit.
If you can afford these you can always address the water pump as a stand alone repair when needed in the future.
I would purchase these three quality kits to repair your noisy chain.You can reuse your belt.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sat...8d017680a2.png
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sat...db9a8e7422.png
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sat...da0aa481c5.png

Another example of missing whats right in front of my face... Apparently there was another second section of kits on rock auto that i missed. -_-
I did find the cloyes equivalent of what i was looking at. But i noticed that the list of whats included it did NOT include the water pumps gasket or O-ring that you mentioned. Seems odd not to include a gasket in the kit. :/ Technically a few screws less then the other one i mentioned/posted before.
So if i went with cloyes, im guessing id have to get a separate gasket and o-ring? And do i need those extra few screws?

Edit: I also noticed the cloyes two big gears have all circle cut outs in there and not the triangle/diamond cut outs. Why is that?

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sat...4ab1b488d6.png


This was the one i posted earlier, just for easy comparison
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sat...00b1e4f201.png

Andy is a professional mechanic.
If he was working on your car, he'd use nothing less than what he's recommended.

This is the one thing you cannot cheap out on on this repair. Self defeating if you do.

The follow-up questions are fine b c unlike many others you truly want to understand.

When Andy suggests something, follow his advice. Ask followup questions, but follow his advice.

Not trying to be nasty. Trying to get you to accept his advice comes from 40 years of wrenching professionally, and he makes $0 off your repair while giving you more advice and attention than you will find anywhere, including any shop you walk into.

oh i am listening to him. Thats part of why i keep asking questions. If im gonna try and learn something, it mine as well be from a person that knows his stuff.
I think im nearing the end of my questions for now. I only have one other i can think of atm. And depending on his answer to my last post. But i should be nearing the end lol

So you're doing the water pump at the same time and getting the timing set and seals you recommended, yes?

thats what im looking at now, yes. Tho the cloyes brand that he recommended, i noticed it did not list or show the water pumps gasket or O-ring. That was my question in my last post to him. If im able to afford the water pump as well, im assuming the gasket and o-ring are kinda a must with that? (I have no idea why they wouldnt be included in the kit, but its not listed in it.)
Also, there are not a lot of options for the o-ring, which seems odd. The few that i see are part of some big pack of gaskets/rings.



https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sat...dc47742731.png

The kit to purchase is shown in post number 17 above.

This kit includes a water pump along with all necessary items for the timing replacement.

The kit does not include gaskets as stated by Andy.

This kit assumes you are replacing the water pump at the same time.

The water pump is run by the serpentine belt. It requires a gasket between itself and where it attaches to the block.

The thermostat uses an o-ring like seal that should be replaced when the thermostat is replaced as part of all of this.

Neither the water pump nor the thermostat are absolutely required to be replaced as part of the timing job. That is why they do not include gaskets or seals. They leave the choice of gaskets for the water pump up to you. It is not their area of specialization. Neither are thermostats. Granted if you buy this kit you'd think a gasket for the water pump would be included. Well, it's not. Andy provided the needed gasket to be purchased separately.

There are a few kits depending on how many parts you need. This kit has all the timing chain components (i think) AND the water pump. But not the water pump gasket and o-ring. Seems odd to include the water pump but not its gasket and oring. So im assuming i will have to get the gasket and oring separately. I just wanted to double check on that.
Id hate to show up with parts to get the work done and find out im missing a few pieces or got the wrong ones.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sat...5c4ec904ed.png

Please see my post 27 above which has been thoroughly modified. That's why I crossed out your quote of the original text from the previous version of my post because they are completely different and actually the new text tries to address your most recent post (28), as we were typing at the same time.

purchasing the felpro gasket set above listed by Andy will provide you with both the thermostat seals as well as the water pump gasket.

The kit in post #17: I do not need a serpentine belt. I replaced mine a few months ago. I also have no idea what that item directly to the left of the belt is. That kit is also quite a bit more expensive.
Thats why i was looking at/asking about the kit i posted in post #28. Same brand and Same thing minus the belt and that item to its left.


He showed me, in post #21, the gaskets for the valve cover and the timing chain cover on the lower half of the engine. (And thank you for that lw300. I completely forget about the second one.) Both of which are on my list of things to get.
I did not see a suggestion from him about the water pump gasket. Did i miss that? Or are you referring to the one i posted in post #26