Just a quick question concerning removing my timing cover. I have fallen victim to the rookie mistake of a poorly wedged tensioner, and it has popped out. So I'm taking the timing cover off. Should I be concerned with draining the oil first? Does the oil level sit above the bottom of the timing cover. I know this sounds like a stupid question, but I am new to working on Z cars and dont want to have oil spilling all over the place, and would rather not have to drain the oil just to get my timing set.

I appreciate your responses

-Adam

You don't need to drain the oil.

Not quite as simple as that.

First you need to remove the crankshaft pulley which means locking the engine up. Then you may be able to prise the front cover off which is between the cylinder head and the oil pan. Getting the cover back is not quite so easy without dropping the oil pan so I would suggest you drain the oil and remove the pan to do the job properly which also makes the pulley removal much simpler.

Thanks,

That's what I wanted to know

I would also recommend dropping the pan as well, or just loosening the pan bolts. I did not do this when I removed my timing cover. When I reinstalled it I pinched the head gasket and had a leak. Then I had to pull the head and replace the head gasket. There is a very tight tolerance when you reinstall the timing cover. You can remove the engine mount bolts and jack up the engine to gain some clearance.

dropping the pan is also a good excuse to clean the sludge and repaint it.

IMAW/WIAI

Not quite as simple as that.

Why not? He only asked if he needed to drain the oil.

If he knows what he is doing then it is simple as that. (Apart from the obvious, such a removeing the radiator, pully, lower pan bolts etc, which was never asked)

If he doesn't then he may as well pull the engine to start with, not forgetting to order a new head gasket etc. etc.

Why make a 2 hour job into an all weekend marathon?

FWIW keep it simple.

Thanks for the responses.

Im going to tackle this tommorow.. if it stops snowing

Why not? He only asked if he needed to drain the oil.

If he knows what he is doing then it is simple as that. (Apart from the obvious, such a removeing the radiator, pully, lower pan bolts etc, which was never asked)

If he doesn't then he may as well pull the engine to start with, not forgetting to order a new head gasket etc. etc.

Why make a 2 hour job into an all weekend marathon?

FWIW keep it simple.

Because by his own admission he is new to Z's and as stated in another post he could well end up replacing the head gasket and oil pan gasket if he does'nt drop the pan first. Aso being a rookie he will find it easier to remove the pulley if done this way.

Because by his own admission he is new to Z's and as stated in another post he could well end up replacing the head gasket and oil pan gasket if he does'nt drop the pan first. Aso being a rookie he will find it easier to remove the pulley if done this way.

Well, he should have stated that in this post.

Mis-information will only provide useless answers.

Nuff said....

Wow,

I didnt expect all this controversy over a simple question. And just for the record, the tip about loosening off the oil pan was very useful, thankyou.

just remember the only stupid question is the one you dont ask.