Help with timing cover!

[RatMonger]

Greetings,

I was in the process of replacing the water pump and snapped off the bottom of the two large bolts, one of the ones that goes through the timing cover into the block. So now, unless someone has a magic through the timing cover bolt extraction technique, it looks like I am going to have to pull the cover.

I have a factory manual, but it is not much use for this proceedure.

Can the cover be pulled without pulling the head and oil pan? If it can, what are the chances of getting it back on without it leaking.

Are there any breakables to consider between pulling the bolts from the oil pan and front cover and applying the rubber mallet?

Is there a better technique than the rubber mallet for seperating the cover?

TIA

Ray

[Marty Rogan]

I feel your pain. I snapped off the real long bolt that goes through the front cover. They get pretty corroded down there.

First, make sure that you get the engine to TDC, with the rotor pointing to the No. 1 spark plug. If you don't you will have a hard time getting the timing right and that can be a nightmare. This is important because you are going to have to pull the distributor and the oil pump out, along with the timing shaft that connects the two and goes through the front cover.

You won't need to pull the head. You can also lossen the oil pan enough to get the cover off and back on again. If you go slow and take your time, it can be put back together without leaks, Make sure you get all the mating surfaces CLEAN. Use Permatex No.1 (I think that's it, the brown stuff).

This job sucks, so you might as well make it worth while. Change the timing chain and guides while you have the cover off.

A rubber mallet is ok as long as you don't go crazy.

good luck!

Marty