Timing Chain Cover Replacement

Fig. 7 Timing case cover assembly. V8 engine:

The timing chain cover is a die casting incorporating an oil seal at the vibration damper hub, Fig. 7. The front oil seal can be installed from either side of the cover, and the seal can be replaced after removing the damper. The timing cover does not have to be removed to replace the oil seal.




REMOVAL

1. Disconnect battery ground cable and drain cooling system.
2. Disconnect lower radiator and bypass hoses from engine, then remove drive belts, cooling fan, and clutch or hub.
3. On models with A/C, remove compressor from bracket and secure aside, leaving hoses connected.
4. On all models, remove alternator, mounting bracket and rear idler pulley.
5. Remove power steering and AIR pumps, and the mounting brackets, as equipped. Leave power steering hoses connected and secure pumps aside.
6. Remove vibration damper assembly using suitable puller.
7. Remove distributor cap and disconnect electrical connectors from distributor.
8. Mark position for distributor rotor and body, then remove distributor and fuel pump from front cover.
9. Remove 2 front oil pan bolt and bolts securing front cover to block, noting installation position for assembly.
10. Remove front cover, gasket and crankshaft oil slinger, then drive seal from cover using suitable drift and discard seal.

INSTALLATION

1. Remove lower dowel pin from front of block and trim both protruding oil pan side gaskets flush with face of block. Retain gasket ends.
2. Apply suitable sealer to replacement front cover gasket, cement gasket to engine block, then install crankshaft oil slinger.
3. Apply suitable sealer to outer diameter of oil seal and install seal in cover using J-26562 or equivalent to ensure that seal is properly seated.
4. On models with oil pan gasket, proceed as follows:
a. Using original pieces as guide, trim ends off replacement gasket which correspond to gaskets removed previously.
b. Install oil pan front seal onto timing case cover, align tabs of replacement pan gasket ends with oil pan seal and cement gaskets onto front cover.
c. Apply suitable sealer to oil pan/engine block joint where pan gaskets were cut, mount cover in position on engine, then install front oil pan bolts.
d. Tighten oil pan bolts slowly and evenly until front cover aligns with upper locating dowel, insert lower dowel through cover and drive dowel into place in engine block.
e. Install remaining front cover bolts and torque all bolts to 25 ft. lbs.
5. On models where RTV sealer is used to seal oil pan, proceed as follows:
a. Ensure that cover and oil pan sealing flanges are clean and free from oil, then apply a 1/8 inch wide bead of RTV sealer to cover flanges.
b. Mount front cover on engine, aligning it with top locating dowel, then loosely install cover to block retaining bolts.
c. Insert lower locating dowel through cover and drive into place in block, then torque cover bolts to 25 ft. lbs.
d. Apply a small bead of RTV sealer to joint between pan and front cover and press sealer into place with finger.
e. Apply suitable thread locking compound to front oil pan bolts, then install bolts and tighten until snug. Do not over tighten front oil pan bolts as pan will be distorted.
6. Reverse remaining procedure to complete installation.