I'm using the biggest flathead possible right now, bout 1/4" in size.

Any tips on this thing? The little rubber flap part that sticks inside came right off, now there is nothing to bite to.


Picture...:

http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photolx8.jpg

 

Must be a fair bit of manufacturing tolerance in the front covers, because for my last 2 cam swaps, I just pushed the old seal out and the new seal in, with my fingers. Same for a couple of other cars I've done.

If all you have left is the black ring now, you may have to get a small screwdriver and work around the circumference, until you can pull it out.

Cheers,

Macca

 

I always use a hydro press, but if not it can take a lot of pry work to get off.

 

i remember mine being a bugar to get off. i remember wrestling with it with one of these......http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/Pro...egoryCode=3497 less then ten bucks

 

Went and bought this tool but i still cant get it off, looks like there is some adhesive on it or something...I'll try again tomorrow. The temperature is in the high 30's in my garage & I'm sick as **** with no patients. Ill try again tomorrow

 

time for some heat....the 30 degree weather is not helping. Try a propane torch on lowest setting.

 

mine was a major pita to come off i didnt think it would ever come off

 

No propane torch here, but i did go set the peice inside to warm up over night and I'll try it again tomorrow after work.


jsteele - did yours break up into peices easily? I try to pry it off but it keeps cracking/breaking.

 

i believe i tore mine into bunches of pieces getting it off.

 

If I remember correctly the seal body is the same size as can of pork and beans. Place can on seal and bang the can with a can of corn or peas. Just remember to properly buck the under side of the timing cover to keep it from flexing.

 

^wow that's ghetto, lol... whatever works.

 

I remember when I changed both front and rear main seals. Man it blew *****, but I finally got it off with a flat head screwdriver. If I remember right the front one has a metal lip so be careful not to break that.

 

I done 20 or so front main seals without any issues. I always use a claw hammer to pop it out. Just set the cover down on something flat and soft with the outer part of the seal facing up, then insert the claw part of the hammer just inside seal (make sure that you don't hit the cover with the claws, just the seal), stand on the cover with one foot and pry the seal out just like it was a nail. It's worked everytime for me.

 

Actully a can of tuna fish works best. I just pulled my timing cover and checked it. I was making a joke, but if a person can't figure out the proper way to get that seal out they have no business doing a top end. They should pay to have the job done by someone who knows what is involved. All joking aside if you give me two vegtable cans I'll get that seal out and I won't even damage it in the process like someone using a screw driver or claw hammer would. The seal is an interference fit. Look it up.

 

+1 LOL.............

You just made me shoot beer out of my nose!
I needed a laugh badly today, thanks buddy.

Heat the cover up a little with a propane torch and work around the perimeter with a small dull screwdriver etc..
You might want to heed the advice of eallanboggs and call in a lifeline on this one to make sure it gets done right to avoid another leak.

Good luck, the simplest of jobs can be a PITA sometimes.