Timing chain cover gasket

[WESTCOAST JASON]

Never before have I done some much wrenching to replace a $10 gasket. I am half way done and figured you may want to see what it looks like behind the timing cover. It will be worth it when it is all said and done though, the tiny leak on the side of the gasket was driving me nuts! I also am replacing the crank seal in the front as a precaution ($12) and found that the network of parts computers at the dealership have it wrongly listed as a 'REAR' Crankshaft seal....

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Time for re-assembly. CYA!

 

[HP]

While you have room to work, don't forget to key the crankshaft.
To me it would just add a little piece of mind, and the only reason I don't
do it now is, I'm saving it for something like you're going through.
Thanks for sharing the pictures

 

[WESTCOAST JASON]

too late now.... back together. Oh well, at least it is not driving an S/C or something like that.

 

[Ron]

As the owner of a '96, I'm sure someday I'll be following in your footsteps. Thanks for the insight...

 

[genXgts]

Hey Jay, thanks for the pics,

blew that gasket off the car on tank 1 when I bought the car, how nice. Did the job myself as a bonding experience and wondering what the heck I just bought.

did you end up hitting the oilpan gasket for insurance as the front edge of the pan bites up into the cover or just back out the fronts and rehit them after? just wondering, I put a new one in (over 200 Cdn) for safety but may have been overkill.

make sure that crank bolt is down to 250 pounds, sure you did.

take care,

 

[WESTCOAST JASON]

I just re-did them after torquing the cover. Pan gasket still looked great. I did not have a TQ wrench for the crank so with the car in gear and my lady on the brakes hard I used a 3ft. extension and basically hung from it. (I am 6'2" 245lbs)

thanks

JT

 

[HP]

*Note to self- cross reference JTT with 6'2" 245lb - Avoid ******* off,
prior to attending common events.

 

[Jerry Dobson]

I noticed Jason left the side oiler on and disconnected the oil lines. You can take the four bolts out and leave the oil lines on, it's up to you.

I like the oil pan to come off first. When you replace the front cover, you have to line up the oil pump. It's a little easier to feel the alignment with the oil pan off. Viper set a world record with the price of that oil pan gasket of about $250 !!!!

The manual does not state that you need to remove the cross member. But the water pump hits if you don't remove it.

Jerry Dobson

 

[WESTCOAST JASON]

I chose to remove the oil lines so I did not have to get another gasket. Taking the oil filter adapter off (4 bolts) requires that you be concerned about another leak. I never did remove the oil pan, I just did the manuals way of lining up the oil pump by making both the crank and the pump vertical.
Very true about the cross member - the manual allows for you to remove the water pump pulley but that still makes clearance 'just enough'. I opted to remove the cross member also.
In the end it is just not a fun job. But it sure is nice not leaking ANY oil anymore!!