How do i get the Timing Chain Cover off?

Kdubslugga · May 7, 2004

I broke 2 bolts off in the timing chain cover trying to get the water pump off, got the pump off but still broken bolts in the timing chain cover, i tried to drill them out but im just ruining the cover. So what needs to be done to get the cover off to replace it? How many bolts are there i see like 4 but i know there has to be more than that. Do i need to take the Harmonic balancer off?

88stangmangt · May 7, 2004

i broke one off on mine took all the brakets off all the bolts out gave it a few light whacks with a rubber mallet and she slid right off.

TIMMY2734 · May 7, 2004

umm , to take the cover off, the balancer has to come off. Dont forget the bolts from underneath as well from the oil pan.

Kdubslugga · May 7, 2004

so does it or doesnt it come off? Also how can i make sure i dont break any bolts off this time????

88stangmangt · May 7, 2004

TIMMY2734 said:
umm , to take the cover off, the balancer has to come off. Dont forget the bolts from underneath as well from the oil pan.

it appears i am looseing my memory. i took my whole engine apart in about 2 hours so it was all so quick. you still shouldnt have a problem with a broken bolt it should still slip right off.

88stangmangt · May 7, 2004

Kdubslugga said:
so does it or doesnt it come off? Also how can i make sure i dont break any bolts off this time????

spray the heck outta it with PB blaster and let it sit over night. if this wont do the trick i dont know what will???????? (i un-seized the piston in my dirt bike with that stuff)

Kdubslugga · May 7, 2004

Well i got like 8 bolts out, and its still hangin on by a bolt or 2, im outta daylight so itll have to wait. My concern is the Harmonic Balancer. If i dont have to take it off then great, but if i do i dunno how, more importantly i dont how to properly put it back on. It sounds like a very important part, is there a particular way you have to put it back on?

04sleeper · May 7, 2004

Yes..... you have to pull the harmonic balancer off. You can get a puller from any auto parts store. It is very easy to use. To put it on you tighten up the harmonic balancer bolt in the center of it. Tightening the bolt presses it back on the cank. Just line up the keyway and don't forget to put a little oil on the outer part of the harmonic balancer when you put it back on. (The part that meets up with the front main seal so it is lubed)

Kdubslugga · May 7, 2004

Well i couldnt take it anymore i went outside and loosend the rest of the bolts and the Harmonic Balancer definetly has to come off. So the big bolt in the center is all i have to loosen to get it off? Can i use just socket or will i need an impact wrench? When i put it back on nothing has to be just right, like no timing lines or anything like that i can just bolt the big nut back on and be done? It sounds kinda easy, is it?

stangbanger94 · May 7, 2004

you have to take off the crank pulley...4 bolts. then you have to loosen the balncer bolt(the big one in the center). Using the puller, match up the bolts from the crank pulley to 4 bolts in the kit. Screw the 4 bolts from the kit into the balncer...tighten them evenly. now when they are snug, start tightening the center long bolt onto the bolt you loosened up in the beginning(the big one in the center)...eventually you'll see the balancer pull out...Ahhhhhh.... now you can remove your timing chain cover....

If it don't work out, I'd suggest buying a chiltons manual.

GOOD LUCK, BROTHER

QDRHRSE · May 7, 2004

Yep. That easy. When you finally get the cover off I would change all the bolts and put anti-seize compound in all of the holes. It's not easy to break those bolts....your engine must be quite seasoned....and thats ok. Be sure to buy a gasket kit and don't think that you will get away without changing the seal in the timing cover (the thing that the balancer goes through). If you don't change it you will have oil all over the place.

Kdubslugga · May 7, 2004

stangbanger94 said:
you have to take off the crank pulley...4 bolts. then you have to loosen the balncer bolt(the big one in the center). Using the puller, match up the bolts from the crank pulley to 4 bolts in the kit. Screw the 4 bolts from the kit into the balncer...tighten them evenly. now when they are snug, start tightening the center long bolt onto the bolt you loosened up in the beginning(the big one in the center)...eventually you'll see the balancer pull out...Ahhhhhh.... now you can remove your timing chain cover....

If it don't work out, I'd suggest buying a chiltons manual.

GOOD LUCK, BROTHER

WOW, sorry bud but you lost me. I have the crank pully off, the onlything i have left to do is remove the balancer. So i losen the big bolt first correct? And then i bolt 4 bolts from the puller kit into where the crank pully bolts were. I tighten those down and then start to tighten the big bolt again and it comes off?

Kdubslugga · May 7, 2004

Am i messing up the timing by turning the big bolt? Also will my timing still be set at 14 degrees when i put the balancer back in?

BarnStang · May 8, 2004

The harmonic balancer has a woodruff keyway that lines up with the woodruff key in the crankshaft snout. It can only go on one way and one way only. The only (basic) way to change the timing is to move the distributor...once you get the timing cover off, remove the broken bolts. Also, replace the front seal in the timing cover as stated previously. You can drift it out with a large punch, but the new one will need to go in slowly and carefully so it does not get twisted or it will leak. It should sit flush in the timing cover. Note how the old one is in there (assuming it was put in right of course)
All the gasket surfaces need to be CLEAN. Stuff a rag in the front of the oil pan to catch the debris while cleaning (common sense say not to stuff the rag in so far that you can't pull it back out...) Use a gasket scraper or a razor blade to clean the old gasket off. I finish with gumout jetspray and paper towels so there is no residue. Same for the gasket surfaces on the timing cover. Put a thin layer of RTV on the gasket surfaces and mount the gaskets. Then put a thin layer of RTV on the timing cover gasket surfaces. I usually put a nice bead of RTV in the corners of the oil pan to ensure there are no oil leaks there. You will have to trim off the old oil pan gasket to put the partial one on. You will have to make sure that you get the timing cover back on as straight as possible. You don't want the new gasket to bunch up or tear or get out of place. If you don't want it to leak, take your time.

stangbanger94 · May 8, 2004

Kdubslugga said:
WOW, sorry bud but you lost me. I have the crank pully off, the onlything i have left to do is remove the balancer. So i losen the big bolt first correct? And then i bolt 4 bolts from the puller kit into where the crank pully bolts were. I tighten those down and then start to tighten the big bolt again and it comes off?

Keep the big bolt loose. The balancer puller has a long bolt that threads through the center of it. Tighten that long bolt until it hits the center of the big bolt that you already have loose. When you start tightening that, you'll feel the puller starting to tighten up, and it will start pulling off the harmonic balancer. Everything else that you have done so far is perfect!!! , just follow the last step I just explained, and that balancer should come right off. You will not have to worry about your timing being off because your not messing around with the distributor.

Keep us posted.............

88stangmangt · May 8, 2004

wow this thread is crazy.

stangbanger94 · May 9, 2004

88stangmangt said:
wow this thread is crazy.

You and I know how it has to be done. But please give the guy credit.he's trying. It's easier to do, than it is to explain how to do it. So yeah you're right" This thread is crazy".....Every1 has to start somewhere

cola8d8 · May 10, 2004

Reminder

Be sure to put anti sieze compound on the water pump bolts when putting it back together. It will make it much eaiser to get them out next time.

How do i get the Timing Chain Cover off?

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