Vertically centering the timing cover without dropping the oil pan
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Michigan & Florida
Vertically centering the timing cover without dropping the oil pan Anyone tried vertically aligning the front cover on an LS motor with the pan tight? It seems it would align when it's pulled tight against the metal/rubber pan gasket.
Don't overthink it. Put the timing cover on loose, install the balancer, make sure the timing doesn't protrude below the block, tighten timing cover. rtv the corners where the pan mates to the cover when putting the oil pan on
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Michigan & Florida
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Joined: Jan 2023
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From: Corpus Christi, TX
Glad this was brought up. I knew the front cover should go on before the pan so that the cover can be leveled appropriately with the block but never considered the balancer install to center the cover before tightening. I have always just slapped them on and let the bolts do the work so I will be doing this from now on thank you!
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From: Central Cal.
USUALLY, the cover is slid on, dampener installed, then the seal sort of centers itself around the dampener, then is tightened in place, making sure the lower surfaces align.
Having the pan in place and tightened down MIGHT keep the above centering from happening properly.
You might need to loosen the pan to allow this to happen.
Having the pan in place and tightened down MIGHT keep the above centering from happening properly.
You might need to loosen the pan to allow this to happen.
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From: Alaska
I have installed aftermarket Camshaft(s) in FOUR LS engines, have not yet removed an oil pan... not had any leaks, nor (known) misalignment,yet.... Did I just get Lucky ?
I have SINCE purchased the front and rear LS cover alignment tool set, bit have not yet made use of them.
I have SINCE purchased the front and rear LS cover alignment tool set, bit have not yet made use of them.
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Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 1,612
From: Michigan & Florida
I have installed aftermarket Camshaft(s) in FOUR LS engines, have not yet removed an oil pan... not had any leaks, nor (known) misalignment,yet.... Did I just get Lucky ?
I have SINCE purchased the front and rear LS cover alignment tool set, bit have not yet made use of them.
I have SINCE purchased the front and rear LS cover alignment tool set, bit have not yet made use of them.
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That's all you have to do is install timing cover with bolts loose and press on the damper the cover gets aligned from pressing the damper on. Than tighten the timing cover and put a few dabs of high temp rtv where cover meets oil pan.
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Some RTV in the corners of the cover/pan area, put the cover on with the bolts loose, install the balancer, then tighten the bolts and torque them. Been doing it like this for a while and haven't ever had leaks. The pan was always installed and tight/torqued as well.