You can have a electric water pump if you want. As for it being easier to set up, I'm not sure. You still have to make a few fittings and find some hose.
You have to make a big water fitting on the front of the block where the water pump used to go. And of course a water fitting on the front of the head.
You can have the block with a channel cut in it up the back, but you can also drill a hole in the head and use a thin flat plate.
Maybe you could look at the old Formula Altantic waterpump for inspiration.