I've searched a few threads, but it's mostly older info:

Does anybody have any input on 2-piece timing covers? They're a bit pricey, but not having to deal with the crank pulley sounds ideal.

I have a single roller chain, so clearance shouldn't be an issue... But I'm mainly concerned about leaks.

 

Are you going to be doing multiple cam swaps or something? In order to put a two piece on you'll be pulling the stock one anyway.

Elaborate more on what your goal is for it.

 

I'd like to keep the option of doing swaps open. The crank pulley is just a PITA and scares the crap out of me.

I did a swap a few months ago, but it seems to be a bad comp grind, leading to a whining noise. The vendor I bought it from is allowing me to exchange it, but only for a replacement comp cam. They swear they will examine the new grind to ensure its polished correctly....but I'm sure the naked eye can't see any issues.

So I'm guessing there may be at least another swap of two in the near future: so if a two piece cover allows me to do the work quickly, without causing me more grief (oil leaks, fitment issues) then I see it as a decent option.

 

If you open this thread on mobile, there is a related thread under it with two pages of opinions that might help.

 

If it's the same thread I'm thinking of (QTP jumps in to offer their timing cover), I did read through it. It doesn't have a whole lot of info on the Edelbrock cover... and QTP doesn't seem to sell their cover anymore.

 

Anybody else have input? I'm looking to maybe do the install tomorrow.

I ordered the edelbrock cover, but if people have bad reviews I'll return it.

 

I'll toss my $.02 in, I'd skip it. I bought an Edelbrock 2 piece cover in anticipation of installing it with my cam swap coming soon. I got it on eBay for a steal since it was open box, then did a little research. Apparently only a stock oil pump will fit, or at least one with stock exterior dimensions. You can also only run a single timing chain, no double. The latter doesn't bother me so much as the former. I've got an SLP oil pump and would probably not mind switching to a ported LS6 oil pump, but then I realized I'd be basically buying parts to accommodate a part that is only required if I do cam swaps.

The thing that finally turned me away was the last cam swap I did on the motor I put in my truck. The motor was out and it should have been easy. I lined up the dots and proceeded with removing the cam. I say I lined up the dots, but I just made sure the cam gear dot was down and center because honestly I couldn't see the crank dot behind the oil pump. When loosening the bolts on the cam, I just slightly turned the crank. Knowing that the oil pumps are touchy when it comes to alignment, I didn't remove it. When I put the new cam in, I couldn't see the dot on the crank pulley gear. So I literally worked from a picture I took earlier to ensure the cam dot was in the same exact place as when I pulled the cam from the block. I was sweating bullets when I started that motor, praying it was on the right tooth. It was, thank God.

With a 2 piece cover, how will you ensure the cam gear is in the exact correct position except by maybe marking some place on your timing cover to line it up with? At this point, I'm definitely not installing my 2 piece cover for any reason other than looks, IF I install it.

 

Could you add a link to this in this thread?

 

Paul, I think he was referring to this thread:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ng-covers.html

(At least that's the one I had found)


As for the install, I decided to return the edelbrock. My main reason for wanting it was I was afraid that my crank threads were marred up: when I used the hawk tool, I think I originally cranked too hard when putting the threaded rod in (like an idiot I used a huge ratchet to get it seated...but kept going like a doofus, before I realized what I was doing).


Then, when taking the ATI damper off, it was making all kinds of popping and creaking noises that I could only picture in my head the crank threads popping off one by one (wild imagination I have).

Plus, when I put the crank bolt back in, it didn't go easily (when I was trying to check the threads) which really got me going.

I put an inspection cam in, and didn't notice anything terrible (except a few marred threads all the way at the back). I then made a chaser with one of the crank bolts to clean the threads.

So I bought the edelbrock thinking that IF I got the crank pulley back on once more, I wouldn't have to worry should I need to swap the cam again.

There aren't many reviews on the item: but many have the complaints regarding oil pumps and timing chain clearances, which didn't apply to me (Katech chain and ported GM pump). There were also a handful of complaints regarding the cover leaking too.

I spoke with one person who has the cover installed on his car: he also dealt with oil leakage, but fixed it up with some RTV.

In the end, I decided to roll the dice and stick with the stock cover. Turns out the ATI went in fine.

The cost of the cover, the lack of adoption (meaning to me there might be an issue finding replacement gaskets for it down the road), and the possibility of dealing with oil leaks weren't enough for me to roll the dice.