Would you reuse this timing cover?

The water pump area has me the most concerned. Most of the mating surfaces are pretty corroded as well..

 

A BIG NO!!!!!!!

 

No, you will have all kinds of problems. Get a good used one or buy new. Your car will love it!!!

 

Easy as that then. Straight to a TA cover or would the more affordable ATP, Pioneer, or Dorman covers suffice for a stock application?

 

Thanks, I needed a little assurance to purchase new instead of trying to save this one.

 

Before I clidked on the picture, I thought "It'd have to be pretty bad for me not to re-use it."
Ah, that looks pretty bad.
Get the TA cover.

ETA: I'd re-use that oil pump.

 

Copy that, thanks Mike!

 

You got your $$'s worth out of that one.

 

Im just glad it did not implode on itself!

 

I use either TA or factory covers, not the other replacement ones.

 

What is the difference between the Chinese sbb cover that TA sells vs all the other vendor's Chinese cover?

 

I have wondered the same just from curiosity. I trust them for all my Buick needs but its fun to know just how much better off I am. To date I have only bought one timing cover and it was from TA.. but looking at Summit I was legitimately surprised to see 3 options.

 

The difference is that TA gets them and does quality control and clean up machine work as needed to ensure they will work properly... buy them for less from another vendor and take your chances or buy from TA and know it will be good.

 

Me too. If anyone would know it should be Sean, if not he needs to find out for his book.

 

Thanks Sean, I get how quality control would be essential here. Do you know what brand they use?

 

If that is the reason then I think I would take my chances with Summit for less, free shipping and a unbeatable return policy if there is an issue. IIRC if there is an issue, they will even pay for return shipping as well.

Even if I had to have 3 of them shipped to me before I got a good one wouldn't be a big deal because my old Buicks aren't my daily drivers I have to have running to get me to work the next day.

For Taulb, if this is for his GS 350 then if it was mine I would try to find a good used or NOS factory one to keep that thing all factory original.

 

You nailed it sir, it is indeed for the GS350. Finding an original has crossed my mind.. many times. As you mentioned this isn't a daily and won't see pavement till April-ish so there is time to source one. Tad afraid on cost though..

 

The Summit one seems reasonable;

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pio-500231

And a later model sbb(unless you need to stay with your year? Those engine come up for sale as well fairly inexpensive too) entire engine can sometimes be cheaper than someone parting an engine out. So you might be able to get a whole engine for the pice someone is selling a cover for.

 

i bought a pioneer when i started collecting parts before i even knew who TA was. ended up sending it to them to modify like their complete cover in the catalog. never had a problem with TA unless you are talking about the lack of 350 aluminum heads, ugh.

 

I have 9 new old stock 350 timing covers here and unfortunately I am hoarder so I can't sell anything. Even a used factory cover is better than a re-production version. Find Bruno D on this board and he will likely have a good factory cover for you and if he does not he will be honest and not try to mess with you. If that does not come through then contact Cole from BC Canada and he will hook you up. Both of these guys I would trust without any question. In fact if you buy a cover from either of these guys and have an issue with them I would send you the $ you spent. That is how much I trust them .