Engine Assembly questions
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 93
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Engine Assembly questions Front and rear cover alignment. Does someone have a link to a procedure for setting them up without the $400ea tools the service manual procedure calls for?
This is on a brand new block with new covers.
Thanks.
This is on a brand new block with new covers.
Thanks.
If you are talking about the timing set cover, there is an easy procedure that requires no special tools. Have the seal already installed in the cover, and the crank already installed. Put the cover on with just a bolt or two put in loose. Then put the pulley on the crank. Now you can put the rest of the bolts in and torque them down. This will insure that the cover is centered around the crank so it doesn't leak oil.
Originally Posted by Cal
If you are talking about the timing set cover, there is an easy procedure that requires no special tools. Have the seal already installed in the cover, and the crank already installed. Put the cover on with just a bolt or two put in loose. Then put the pulley on the crank. Now you can put the rest of the bolts in and torque them down. This will insure that the cover is centered around the crank so it doesn't leak oil.
Just to add to this... Youll HAVE to make sure the spacing is even where the bottom of the cover meets the oil pan rails. Too much space on one side and you may have a oil leak.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Its thats simple?
So install the crank, put the front cover on with a couple bolts, install balancer, then align the bottom part of the front cover so its even, then tighten down, then install the rear cover?
So basically we are using the seals to center everything?
So install the crank, put the front cover on with a couple bolts, install balancer, then align the bottom part of the front cover so its even, then tighten down, then install the rear cover?
So basically we are using the seals to center everything?
Originally Posted by Heretic
Its thats simple?
So install the crank, put the front cover on with a couple bolts, install balancer, then align the bottom part of the front cover so its even, then tighten down, then install the rear cover?
So basically we are using the seals to center everything?
So install the crank, put the front cover on with a couple bolts, install balancer, then align the bottom part of the front cover so its even, then tighten down, then install the rear cover?
So basically we are using the seals to center everything?
The rear cover is a little bit more. You have to use a straight edge and line it up with the bellbousing mounting surface and oil pan. I dont remember how exactly, but get the Haynes manual for our cars, it has how to do it without the fancy $500 tools 
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Also, install the front and rear main seals DRY... do not put oil on them or the crank surface. They are made to be done dry as they contain teflon which "melts" to the crank and forms the seal so you dont end up with the front and rear main leaks. Also, again, I think you put the rear main on AFTER the cover is done, not before. Id have to look it up again to be sure.
Also, again, I think you put the rear main on AFTER the cover is done, not before. Id have to look it up again to be sure. LS1 Tech Stories
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Originally Posted by 4mulaJoe
This is funny. I've done this numerous times and didn't do anything special. I slapped it on and re-used the gasket. No leaks.
Never done a rear cover (yet) but I have done the front cover a number of times. I just slap it on, bolt it down, and 25K miles later is was still without any leaks.