I don't have a manual but if anyone knows how to install the timing chain cover on a 1973 Buick 455 I would greatly appreciate it. Other Q's...How do I use the "Front Main Seal" and Where does the oil slinger go??? Thanks in advance! New Question....Do I need to install a Valley Pan? If so where do I pick one up at???
Do you have a cover on the engine now, that you need to remove first? Or you you have a "naked" engine (i.e. no cover)? The front main seal will go between the timing cover and the crankshaft. The slinger fits on the crankshaft and throws oil up at the camshaft, it fits over the "key" (i.e. the rectangular thing that sits in the crankshaft). You will probably see how it's supposed to fit while you are assembling it. -Bob Cunningham
Nekkid! It is a "Naked" engine. I already have the timing chain on. I take it the oli slinger goes on after that? or am I misunderstanding??
The oil slinger fits on the crank, and will deflect oil from the seal area. If you are not installing a neoprene seal in the cover, you need to remove the old seal by knocking the sheet metal retainer out of the cover. You can then install the new rope seal and replace the retainer. Then you should use a piece of dowel (or a hammer handle) to flatten the rope seal until you can get the harmonic balancer to just start in the hole. Mount the cover on the engine, and CAREFULLY install the harmonic balancer. Good Luck
I forget how obvious it is when you look at it, but the big end of the slinger faces out If you use the rope seal, make the join at the top, to reduce leaks. Same deal with the rear main. My advice is to install the distributor with the #1 piston at tdc before you install the oil pump gears. Makes alighning the pump shaft and the distributor shaft easier. Pack the pump with vaseline or some type of petroleum grease before you put the oil pump cover on- this primes the pump. You need to do this- the pump will not pump air. Do not use lithium grease of any sort! The Vaseline will dissolve in your oil, the lithium will not . I heard the advice to use lithium once from a 'pro' at a parts store. Bad advice! Check out the threads for the fuel pump carefully, they are often beat up. I recommend putting heli-coils in there as standard operating procedure. If you use a double roller timing chain, be aware that the cam can walk a bit and the fuel pump arm can contact the chain. I releived the pump arm about 1/4" to avoid the whole issue, but I knew exactly where the contact would occur and removed as little material as possible- I'd rather replace a fuel pump than a timing chain any day of the week!
Please tell us what front seal you are using. The slinger goes on, large end out like Chris said, then the cover goes on. You should replace the front seal, which requires removing the shedder like someone mentioned. Well, if you' must remove the shedder, you really should just clean up the surface with a file and then just drive in a neoprene seal. And YES pack the pump with Vasaline! Just remove the bolts that hold the plate on at the bottom and PACK it then put the plate back on. A new gasket there doesn't hurt. I think TA has them.
It is a Rope Seal made by Fel-Pro I believe. We didn't know about the Vaseline. We will have to do that. Thanks! New Question....Do I need to install a Valley Pan? If so where do I pick one up at???
THe valley pan is the big metal "gasket" that is included with the intake manifold gasket set. I would use it.
Something about my post has been bugging me since I made it. I'm surprised nobody picked up on it, but the rear main can't be installed similarly to the front. Disregard my thoughts on the rear main, I was momentarily confused and my suggestion cannot work for the rear main.
