LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Timing cover gasket -.-

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 22, 2010 | 10:56 PM
  #1  
Spencer51X's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default Timing cover gasket -.-

Seems my timing cover gasket is leaking like a son of a bitch...a quart every 3 days or so. How difficult is it going to be to get to it, since I've gotta pull the waterpump, opti and all that.

I'm going to be replacing my clutch, rear suspension, and heater core during the next week and might end up doing this to.

If I decide against doing it, (I've only got a week of free time, and very very low budget), how bad would it be to use that cheap gasket maker stuff, and just coat around the outside of the cover? At least for a temporary fix.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2010 | 11:30 PM
  #2  
MattSapp95_T/A's Avatar
9 Second Club
iTrader: (35)
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 2
From: Macclenny Florida
Default

It is not too terrible.....

Pull the water pump and opti off take off the crank hub and then pull the bolts off for the timing cover and remove it...

Then the worst parts.. take the bolts out of the oil pan except for the back two so that you can let the pan hang some...

Clean your surface and put on the new gasket....put the timing cover back on and I apply a light coat of RTV to the oil pan gasket where it meets the timing cover and reverse the process...I use a little torque wrench too just to be safe...

Matt
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2010 | 12:07 AM
  #3  
Spencer51X's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Default

Should I go ahead and replace the oil pan gasket while I'm at it?
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2010 | 12:24 AM
  #4  
BlackBird87's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: Elmwood Park
Default

Originally Posted by Spencer51X
Should I go ahead and replace the oil pan gasket while I'm at it?
depends on if it really needs to be replaced and if you want to spend the extra time taking the pan off. some ppl struggle with it some dont.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2010 | 01:28 AM
  #5  
SPOT ME 3's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Default

I used the "right stuff" on my old pan gasket and on the timing cover where it meets the pan. Heard it works good. Otherwise you might have to raise the motor to replace with a new. **** that!
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2010 | 03:55 AM
  #6  
red93z28lt1's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln Ne
Default

I thought the general rule was to replace any gasket that has been relased
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2010 | 06:18 AM
  #7  
leadfoot4's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,621
Likes: 11
From: Webster, NY
Default

Originally Posted by red93z28lt1
I thought the general rule was to replace any gasket that has been relased

That's they way I was taught......However, if yor car has one of the "reusable" oil pan gaskets, you might be able to get away with just loosening the bolts enough to allow the timing cover to slip out.

To the OP... If you decide to tackle this job, be forewarned that the water pump drive shaft seal is VERY delicate, and easy to damage, when putting the front cover back on. Make sure to slip a "Sharpie" cap over the drive shaft, so the splines don't chew up the seal, or you'll still have an oil leak to swear at!!

Also, when putting things back on, the water pump drive seal is teflon, as well as the opti seal. They DON'T get "pre-lubed", but the crank seal does need a little motor oil on it, to keep it slippery for the initial fire-up...
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2010 | 08:58 AM
  #8  
SPOT ME 3's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Default

The sharpie trick absolutely works. Ripped on my first try before I used this method.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:40 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE