KEVIN LANGFORD
Active Member
In the middle of a timing chain replacement. 1971 318 LA block.
I purchased a new timing cover for my Duster from Mancini racing because the OEM cover has bad corrosion at the water jackets and about to penetrate cover in many areas to the internals of the timing chain.
With the new cover,
Everything seems to be lining up. and the crank shaft seems centered. But, I noticed the bottom of the cover is slightly larger. Approx. 3mm larger. (see pics)
I did a rough test fit with the rubber gasket for the front of the oil pan and its a no-go for easily getting it no there and seated correctly.
Has anyone ever run into this issue?
What are my options?
Take both covers to a machine shop and match the bottoms.
Old timing cover has 3.2mm wall thickness around the bottom
(There is enough material to grind it down to fit.)
New timing cover has 5.1mm wall thickness around the bottom
Do I take an angle grinder and cut it myself in a vise?
I figure I need about 1.5mm cut from the bottom to make the gasket fit.
Is there another gasket option thickness for the front oil pan? new 318 w/ nubs is 5mm thick.
I'm open to other suggestions.
Thanks for the input!
OEM cover
New Cover (stamped MA)
original cover
New cover
test fit , bolt alignment etc. (no gaskets)
limited space for a 5mm rubber gasket
amount of material to cut for fitting a gasket in there 1.5mm circumference.
thanks again!
I purchased a new timing cover for my Duster from Mancini racing because the OEM cover has bad corrosion at the water jackets and about to penetrate cover in many areas to the internals of the timing chain.
With the new cover,
Everything seems to be lining up. and the crank shaft seems centered. But, I noticed the bottom of the cover is slightly larger. Approx. 3mm larger. (see pics)
I did a rough test fit with the rubber gasket for the front of the oil pan and its a no-go for easily getting it no there and seated correctly.
Has anyone ever run into this issue?
What are my options?
Take both covers to a machine shop and match the bottoms.
Old timing cover has 3.2mm wall thickness around the bottom
(There is enough material to grind it down to fit.)
New timing cover has 5.1mm wall thickness around the bottom
Do I take an angle grinder and cut it myself in a vise?
I figure I need about 1.5mm cut from the bottom to make the gasket fit.
Is there another gasket option thickness for the front oil pan? new 318 w/ nubs is 5mm thick.
I'm open to other suggestions.
Thanks for the input!
OEM cover
New Cover (stamped MA)
original cover
New cover
test fit , bolt alignment etc. (no gaskets)
limited space for a 5mm rubber gasket
amount of material to cut for fitting a gasket in there 1.5mm circumference.
thanks again!