Need an older style timing chain cover ASAP!

[stephen4785]

Im looking for an older style 289-302 timing chain cover.The one with the pointer cast into it and not bolted on.I know they sell them new for 100$-115$ but I would rather not pay that much unless I have to.All the junkyards aropund here always tell me that they have any part I want and then I get there and they dont have the right one.I need to get one asap becasue my car is a daily driver(the only daily driver).And yes Iv posted this in the classifieds I just figurte this might speed the process up a bit.

 

[2bav8]

Buying a used front cover is a 50/50 risk.
Ford used really cheap pot metal in those things and its not uncommon to see alot of corrosion. IMO, its better to spend the money for a new one. They are a MUCH higher quality part.

 

[my66coupe]

Just set aside a few hours and go to a junk yard and search, I believe the 351s use the same cover. All you need to watch out for are cracks, especially near bolt holes and corrosion on the uppper water passages. I had a guy tear apart about 4 different motors before I found a good one. $30 bucks and I was good to go.

Mike

 

[blandq]

Given that the cover IS a critical and multifunction part:

- Oil and water have a real opportunity to mix
- Timing chain cover
- The critical water routing device
- Pulley support for accessories
- Fan shaft
- dip-stick holder

.....$115.00 sounds like pretty cheap insurance!!!!

In addition, how much is your time worth?

Buy it: 5 minutes on line, at your door in three days
Junk yard: first you have to find'm, pull'm inspec'm clean'm , etc.
By the time your done you'll have travel-time, gas, and
still you may have a time bobmb with a subteranian crack, etc.
and you'll be doing it again later.

 

[RajunCajun]

Given that the cover IS a critical and multifunction part:

.....$115.00 sounds like pretty cheap insurance!!!!

Exactly how I see it why bolt on old questionable parts to a rebuilt setup

 

[stephen4785]

Well Ic decided to bight the bullet and just buy a new one.I have a huge problem with gussing if something will work or not.I can rig stuff to work and often have to but a classic stang should never be rigged.Besides Iv heard about 6-7 different people tell me that the crapy pot metal stuff that ford used is crap.Also when I did have the car running I could never get it to stop leaking at the timing chain cover where it bolts to the bolt on the driver side where that little valley is.Coolant always sat there taunting me.
Thanks for all of the info.

 

[2bav8]

You'll be glad you spent the money.
I bet the new front cover weights at least a pound more, those rumors about the poor quality is true!!!

 

[my66coupe]

The coolant in the "valley" was most definetly from your intake, been there and done that. In my mind 115 for a timing cover is expensive....I live by..."if it aint broke, dont fix it".

Mike

 

[stephen4785]

well Mines broke.Its got 3 striped bolts and a thread boss broke in half on the top.

 

[D.Hearne]

Poor quality? Since when? I just sold two or three used ones out of the 6-7 I had in my shop. both the 289-302 ones and a 302 351W one, and none were of any different quality than two of the newer ones I have, and these are late 80's -mid 90's castings. And they're not Pot-metal, but Aluminum. Only one had a stripped bolt hole, none had cracks or were corroded .