I also would rather use my money on new seals, LOL. I just finished my engine up and found out you can't use the old timing cover on a newer engine. The old timing cover has a Timing pointer and it hits the Edelbrock reverse style water pump. So, I had it all ready to go (or I thought so) and the coolant came out due to the interference. So I tried grinding down the pointer and it still hit the two screws on the back of the water pump plate. Finally, when I got done the original timing cover was wasted. Oh well. Starting over for the fifth time. I sure know how to take off the parts now. I was wondering? Does everyone install just the timing cover and then the water pump or do you install the two put together. I've tried both ways and I'm trying to figure out what the easiest way is, so that I get the timing cover seal in place properly. Any suggestions?
I'd put the water pump on first, that way you can make sure it's all aligned properly before you put the next piece on. On the other hand, if you put the pump on later, it'll make the cover lighter to hold in place while you're getting things aligned. It's a lot easier to apply silicon seals on a bench instead of bent over an engine compartment
You guys are going all out; way cool. I'm going to have to get my engine pulled at some point to get the rear seal repaired (I smell a new thread), but I'm waiting for a proper shop to work in to tackle that.
I am not sure what the experts do, but I put my timing chain cover on first, but looking back there are a couple of bolts that didn't get put it at the time the cover was installed because they go through the water pump and then through the timing chain cover. They got installed later with the water pump, but it would have been better to install them all at once.
Its a difficult situation, because I want to make sure the timing cover is aligned properly. This last time I noticied when I took off the timing cover, the seal was still intact. Of course, the engine hadn't been started because the water pump seal was leaking due to the pointer interfering with the seal. I'm still sorting it out. The Manual for the 66 289 and the 5.0 manual both state to attach the water pump to the timing cover and then to the engine. It is easier to do it on the bench, but then as you stated, its heavier. I'll make up my mind tomorrow when I start again. Thanks for your opinions.
OK here is my update. I have the engine back in the car, however I haven't really driven it. When I start the car; I get a terrible noise. I want to say a knocking, but I think of knocking as a deeper solid tone. This is a higher pitch, and at higher rpm's the noise will go away, but at lower rpm's (idle) the noise returns. I think I am going to start another thread about this, because it falls outside of the leaking front seal. On a good note, I haven't noticed a leak out of the front seal, but again, I haven't driven the car and only messed with it for a little while in the garage.
OK here is my update. I have the engine back in the car, however I haven't really driven it. When I start the car; I get a terrible noise. I want to say a knocking, but I think of knocking as a deeper solid tone. This is a higher pitch, and at higher rpm's the noise will go away, but at lower rpm's (idle) the noise returns. I think I am going to start another thread about this, because it falls outside of the leaking front seal. On a good note, I haven't noticed a leak out of the front seal, but again, I haven't driven the car and only messed with it for a little while in the garage.
Glad to hear your seal isn't leaking. The real test will be when you go for a drive. Sorry to hear you have a noise coming for the engine. You should start a new thread for that someone can give you advice.I attempted to put on the timing cover again, but due to a broken bolt in the harmonic balancer that I can't extract, I had to stop. I've ordered new bolts from March (who were great and are sending them at no charge, including shipping) and a new balancer from Coast High Performance. Maybe sometime next week, I'll get to start again.
Last edited by bubbamace; 08-03-2009 at 10:51 PM.
Reason: more info
OK, I posted this to the other thread, but just to update you guys. It does appear that my seal isn't leaking, but I have only had it for one test drive today. We will see how it goes over time. The noise coming from my transmission was my starter. I found this out after removing the transmission and checking things out good. Yeah, I know. I am a knucklehead. I spent all day working with a transmission to solve a starter issue. Oh well, I guess I learned a bunch today removing and re-installing the tranny. It is running now without making a terrible noise so we will see how it goes.
OK, I posted this to the other thread, but just to update you guys. It does appear that my seal isn't leaking, but I have only had it for one test drive today. We will see how it goes over time. The noise coming from my transmission was my starter. I found this out after removing the transmission and checking things out good. Yeah, I know. I am a knucklehead. I spent all day working with a transmission to solve a starter issue. Oh well, I guess I learned a bunch today removing and re-installing the tranny. It is running now without making a terrible noise so we will see how it goes.
It sounds like you have it beat I figure if you took it for a drive and it didn't leak, it probably won't leak.
I'll make up my mind tomorrow when I start again. Thanks for your opinions.
