Best procedure for installing gaskets.
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You want the timing cover in place before you install the pump or balancer. Getting to the lower bolts on the cover is possible, but difficult with the balancer in place. As for sealant on the crank seal, it usually will seal pretty well, especially on good quality gasket sets but a thin film won't hurt. The key way on the crank and balancer do need to be lined up. A light oil film on the crankshaft will help it slide on. It really can't go on crooked.
For the pump, a couple of bolts to hold the gasket and pump in place makes it a lot easier. Don't press the pump against the cover until you can all he bolts started. If you tighten it with some bolts out, the gasket might shift and all the bolts may not go in. Get them all started, snug them down lightly then do your final torque.
Put the balancer on last before you reassemble the pulleys and belts.
One last thing before you bolt everything together, with the engine being fairy fresh, it shouldn't be a problem, but clean the threads on all the bolts. This makes sealing and torquing much easier and more effective.
For the pump, a couple of bolts to hold the gasket and pump in place makes it a lot easier. Don't press the pump against the cover until you can all he bolts started. If you tighten it with some bolts out, the gasket might shift and all the bolts may not go in. Get them all started, snug them down lightly then do your final torque.
Put the balancer on last before you reassemble the pulleys and belts.
One last thing before you bolt everything together, with the engine being fairy fresh, it shouldn't be a problem, but clean the threads on all the bolts. This makes sealing and torquing much easier and more effective.
My plan is to take the cover off and clean everything best as I can. Running low on funds to get a new harmonic balancer( they are like 300$ up here) so I'm going to have to wait to put everything back together. I'm assuming I shouldn't bolt the covers and water pump back on until I have the balancer so I don't run into alignment problems with the rtv setting up ? Or do I have some play in the crank seal ?
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: United States
Last timing cover I did I used RTV around water jacket holes only solely for my peace of mind. You're not supposed to need anything as the gasket is a high quality rubbery thing, but I did it 'cause I wanted to.
I use black and often the Right Stuff 90-minute black (not to be confused with the uber expensive 15 minute cheese whiz cans). Even my local WM carries the 90 minute tubes, although global panic **** has left the slot on the shelf empty quite often.
I just apply a very thin layer and install. If using the basic black you can give it a few minutes to skim over.
Never heard of the balancer thing, but the seal is soft and isn't going to align much of anything IMO
Are there not alignment dowels on the cover? I honestly can't remember?? I need to do this job on a '00 soon. Just did a '98 not long ago but CRS strikes again!
I use black and often the Right Stuff 90-minute black (not to be confused with the uber expensive 15 minute cheese whiz cans). Even my local WM carries the 90 minute tubes, although global panic **** has left the slot on the shelf empty quite often.
I just apply a very thin layer and install. If using the basic black you can give it a few minutes to skim over.
Never heard of the balancer thing, but the seal is soft and isn't going to align much of anything IMO
Are there not alignment dowels on the cover? I honestly can't remember?? I need to do this job on a '00 soon. Just did a '98 not long ago but CRS strikes again!
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
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From: S.W. Indiana
My plan is to take the cover off and clean everything best as I can. Running low on funds to get a new harmonic balancer( they are like 300$ up here) so I'm going to have to wait to put everything back together. I'm assuming I shouldn't bolt the covers and water pump back on until I have the balancer so I don't run into alignment problems with the rtv setting up ? Or do I have some play in the crank seal ?
The timing cover and water pump need to be on when you put the balancer on. Go ahead and do that now. You can wait on the balancer. You can rent or borrow a puller and get a used one. However, if you definitely want a new one, stuff some of the blue heavy duty paper towels around the crank opening so bugs and debris don't make their way in. Be sure to oil the seal and crankshaft before you put the new balancer on.
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The timing cover and water pump need to be on when you put the balancer on. Go ahead and do that now. You can wait on the balancer. You can rent or borrow a puller and get a used one. However, if you definitely want a new one, stuff some of the blue heavy duty paper towels around the crank opening so bugs and debris don't make their way in. Be sure to oil the seal and crankshaft before you put the new balancer on.
Good to know. I have the balancer off and everything ready to be cleaned. My plan was to re install everything until I could afford a new balancer. So that is what I'll do then. I'd just hate to run into issues installing the balancer once the silicone and cover is all setup and bolted.
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
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From: S.W. Indiana
Good to know. I have the balancer off and everything ready to be cleaned. My plan was to re install everything until I could afford a new balancer. So that is what I'll do then. I'd just hate to run into issues installing the balancer once the silicone and cover is all setup and bolted.
If you install the old balancer then replace it with a new one, you should be fine. Just don't put RTV on the rubber seal where the balancer goes through. That has to spin.
Administrator
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From: Clayton MI
Aren't there dowel pins the cover mounts on? I seem to remember something like that.....
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Yup that makes sense lol. I'm not putting the old one on. I'm waiting to get a new one and will put it on last. I just wanted to make sure if was ok that I re install the timing cover and water pump and there won't be any alignment issues with installing the balancer in a month or so
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From: Corrales, New Mecico
There are from block to transmission, nothing from block to timing cover.
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