Requesting Timing Cover reinstall tips - *pics inside*

[TheUser]

My timing cover on the GT is leaking for about the 3rd or 4th time and so I guess I'll pull it back off and do it over. I just wanted to show some pics and ask for any advice/tips to make it go as fast and as smoothly as possible with a lasting good result.

I know how to do it, but any tips of the trade would be helpful. Usually, I pull it off, organize the bolts, clean the gasket material off and sand lightly with sandpaper to get a flat surface. I stuff rags in the front of the oil pan to prevent any debris from getting in there.

I have been using a gasket and Blue Permatex RTV, but I think this time, I'm going to use some black stuff by permatex called "the right stuff". I had a water pump leaking problem before and "the right stuff" ended up being the right stuff to fix the problem. It's been fine for a couple months now. That being said, I'll try to leave the water pump on and not even disconnect it from the cover. It is best to apply the silicone to the WHOLE timing cover gasket surface, correct?

I think my thermo-housing is leaking, but I figured it would be easiest to fix with the timing cover off since those bolts are hard to get to. I'll probably use "the right stuff" on it too and I might even throw some hex bolts back on it since I'm currently using carriage bolts (dome head w/ slit for flathead screwdriver).

I think the leaking in the valley's is from the holes in the timing cover that other people have posted about. I guess i'll either JB weld them or shove some RTV in there.

Now to the pics:

You can see the gasket is busted, which is probably the cause of the leaking coolant from the side of the timing cover; I watched a few drips leak from where the gasket is gone.

I appreciate all helpful responses

 

[woodyy24]

i used to get that too, i JB welded the extra holes that arnt needed and no more coolant . also i think your problem is over tightening. use that black RTV, put a thin layer on the block and place the gasket in on the pins, then put a thin layer on the cover and put it back together. also check your thermostat housing just in case.

 

[TheUser]

Woody: Thanks! I was actually planning on not using a gasket; one layer of "the right stuff" on the cover and bolt it down. I didn't use a gasket on my water pump - just "the right stuff." I can't remember for sure, but I might be missing one of the pins.

 

[The Shape]

i used to get that too, i JB welded the extra holes that arnt needed and no more coolant . also i think your problem is over tightening. use that black RTV, put a thin layer on the block and place the gasket in on the pins, then put a thin layer on the cover and put it back together. also check your thermostat housing just in case.

Yeah I put JB weld on those extra holes in the cover myslef and also filled them with silicone from the inside and have had no more problems.

 

[TheUser]

bump

 

[90mustangGT]

First when you take off the cover, pump, housing, be sure to get ALL of the old gasket material off. Be carefull with alumimum, it isn't hard to grind off so much you make the problem worse. Cut away all the oil pan gasket to the block. Also make sure all treads on the bolts are clean.

Regular "black" or what I have been using latley which is working better is "grey" sealer. Copper based gasket spray is very good because it makes the gasket stick to the surface and aids in sealing. Proper gasket placement is very important.

Use the rubber gasket that goes around the crankshaft snout area but use the RVT from where it ends to the block where it meets the oil pan. Carefully place the timing cover onto the place and first loosly fit them all in, then finger tight and then with a rachet, perferable a palm/hand/short ratchet give it a twist until just past snug, not tight, just where it has resistance. For the waterpump and housing cover, use the gaskets and same procedure on tightening.

Overtightning, improper sequence, and eneven torquing will gaurantee a leak.

 

[TheUser]

that's another thing I have trouble with...getting that rubber "seal" like thing that mates between the bottom of the timing cover to the half-circle shape in the front of the oil pan. Do you usually mate the rubber seal to the oil pan w/ some adhesive or what is the preferred method of doing that?

I plan to leave the water pump attached to the timing cover...any problems w/ that?

Hopefully this is the last time I do this for a while

 

[Carbed86GT]

I've done this quite a few times and find Permatex aviation form a gasket works very well. It's the brush on stuff. I brush it on both sides of the cover gasket. I use permatex #2 on the oil pan where the new cork pieces butt against the oil pan gasket, and coat the new cork pieces with the brush on stuff. Never have leaks.

 

[lmarinukjr]

i hate to hijack this especially after a long time like this but im just about to do this what extra holes are there in the cover