one problem after another haha...my water pump is just starting to make that dreaded sound lol. how hard are they to change on a 97 SE? i'm pretty mechanically inclined if i get the right directions on how to do it.

Drain it the system
remove power steering pump from engine (2 13mm bolts through pulley)
Support motor under oil pan
Remove motor mount covering WP
Change WP
Reassemble

***************

if its a series 2 you do NOT have to touch the mtr mount, but you do have to remove the 2 PS bolts to get at that one bolt on the WP

here is the info I found and it seems to be correct. I think Bills advise was for pre 1995 or whichever the series 1 engines were used.

For 1992-95 vehicles, remove the torque axis mount, as follows:

You will simply break the water pump pulley bolts loose, remove the belt, remove the water pump pulley bolts...

Then you will remove the 2 bolts from the power steering pump, 1/2" I think... Push the PS pump out of the way being careful not to hit the oil pressure sending unit...

Remove the bolts from the water pump, pull the water pump, clean the mating surface, install the new pump and gasket...

Then do everything else in reverse order...

The L36 is a very easy engine to change a water pump on..
Search for posts by mkaake. He just replaced his waterpump on his 97 Lesabre and wrote a nice procedure on what he did.
Thsi is cut and pasted info but after looking at my 98 there is no reason to remove the mount, but the pulley for the PS pump IS in the way. Now my 99 Park Ave is wide open just remove the wp pulley,belt and WP, no hoses or mounts or PS problems !

uggg... the way I posted this all ran together but where it says "92-95 it was only that one line statement, I was just trying to show that it only listed those years as having to monkey with the mount, then below is what I copied off this site, sorry

Sorry.. Vin 1 S2 does have the mount removal issue. However this isn't a vin 1

Vin 1
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Remove the bolts from the A/C compressor splash shield.
Remove the splash shield.
Drain the coolant. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System .
Remove the supercharger drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechincal.
Remove the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechincal.
Remove the coil pack. Position the coil pack out of the way.
Remove the supercharger belt tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement in Engine Mechincal.
Remove the engine mount. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement in Engine Mechincal.
Remove the power steering pump.
Remove the engine mount bracket.
Remove the idler pulley.

Vin K
Remove PS Pump
Remove belt..
Finish 20 minutes later

Bill, what do you mean vin 1 vin K Im lost as per usual. Are mine both Vin K'* ? Again on my Park the pulley is way out of the way

Vin k = series 2 naturally aspirated 3800
Vin 1 = series 1 or 2 Supercharged 3800

got it,