I was just curious if you could warp a cast 5.0? Im having problems getting my timing cover and water pump to stop leaking. Its an engine i bought from someone so who knows what he did to it. My friend suggested that the block could be warped. Has anyone ever heard of this happening?
I have never run into the front of the block that out of shape....
Make sure the cover sits flush against the block, if it does then your good nothing is out of shape.
I have seen the dowels and cover holes get crudy and prevent it from sliding on all the way. Use a small about of RTV on the cover, and put a small amount around the coolant passages on the block before you put the gasket on. Make sure your water pump has the correct backing plate (I just received a pump that had a standard rotation plate on it and this causes issues with the gasket), there should be a gasket between the pump and backing plaate, make sure you are using the proper gasket for the timing cover, most kits give you 3 different options only one is correct.
Ive always had fits getting the timing cover/water pump seal to stop leaking. I think ford had a crappy design with the timing cover being sandwiched b/w the block. Chevy has a better setup where the WP simply bolts to the block.
All you can really do is prep the surfaces well, just be real meticulous and you should be able to get it to seal.
I installed all of my gaskets dry, but it's a lot easier when you have the engine on a stand and it's bone dry. All you can really do is try your absolute best to torque the bolts evenly and consistently all the way around.
Don't be afraid to give it a whack with a deadblow hammer or mallet to get it to seat, if the dowels seem to be what's holding it up. You're not going to break the aluminum in the process.