timing cover question

[BWDart]

Swapped the cam in my la 360, does the oil pan need to be lowered to get the timing cover back on?
Thanks
Bruce

 

[krazykuda]

No, you have to be careful lining up the timing cover to the oil pan seals so they don't get off location.

 

[AJ/FormS]

-I start the job by cleaning out all the bolt holes, and the bolts. Some will be full of corrosion or silicone or rust.Then I glue the gasket to the block. Then I glue the little oilpan rail pieces down and silicon the joint-lines. I take a couple of line up pins that I have previously made from longer bolts with heads cut off,that fit in the down-facing holes,and I screw them in the cover, before installing it.Next as the cover drops in and is sitting in approximately the right place I insert a prybar through one of the waterports and gently push the cover down with one hand, and install one of the waterpump bolts to hold it there. Repeat on otherside.Next,remove the line-up pins,and screw in the correct bolts.Then draw the cover down until all the other boltholes line up, but not to final torque. After that the lower 3,forward facing,bolts go in, not tightened. Finally install the waterpump, or at least the wp-bolts. If any bolt hangs up and cant be installed with fingers in clean threads, you may need to adjust the oilpan bolt tension.Do not go crazy on the prybar pressure.If everything lines up,you can tighten up the forward facing bolts, and finally the oilpan bolts.
-Its not mandatory to use the line-up pins.Job can easily be done without them. Just foolproof for 1st-timers.
-Sometimes I use two prybars at the same time(tricky,but do-able)When using the 2 prybar method I usually start a couple of the long wp bolts first(as Im pushing the cover down),then draw the cover down, with the oilpan bolts, until I can freely spin the wp bolts.
Now, getrdone.

 

[AndyF]

If you use a two piece timing chain cover you won't have to mess with the pan seal.

 

[AndyF]

Here are some pictures of a two piece timing chain cover for a small block

 

[trapster]

does that take a big block style water pump ?

 

[RedFish]

Here are some pictures of a two piece timing chain cover for a small block

I saw something new this morning. That would be a great way to have a chrome timing cover ( If one wanted that GM look ). Thanks for sharing.

 

[69_340_GTS]

does that take a big block style water pump ?

No, electric water pump.

 

[AndyF]

I saw something new this morning. That would be a great way to have a chrome timing cover ( If one wanted that GM look ). Thanks for sharing.

The two piece cover isn't for looks, it is so serious race guys can change the camshaft quickly. If you use a remote water pump the job goes even faster. The engine can hang from the motor plate in the car during the entire operation. Just pull the damper, pull the chain cover and swap the camshaft.

 

[AndyF]

does that take a big block style water pump ?

SB electric pump or use a remote pump. I recommend using a remote water pump whenever possible. The remote pump saves a bunch of space and it gets the water pump away from the heat and vibration of the engine.

 

[A body]

Cool stuff Andy..... wish I would have gone that remote water pump route on my W8 mill. Someday!

Jay