Removing timing cover w/o pulling head

[CruisinGA]

Reference this thread as to why I'm doing this-

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...g-carnage.html

Anyway, as long as the oil pump cover can stay on, I believe I have everything undone necessary to remove the timing cover, but it ain't budging. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Has anyone else other than Cruiserdan removed the timing cover without pulling the head?

I'm honestly at my wits end..

[Beowulf]

It is assembled with RTV as a sealer. Have you tried prying it off?

-B-

[Beowulf]

I am looking at pictures of Dan's project. His thermostat housing was removed and his dizzy was removed. I know he was updating whatever parts that needed it but I don't think he would remove the thermostat housing if it didn't need to come off to remove the timing chain cover. Same with the dizzy though that may have been removed to replace the O-ring or to give him more room.

Here is a pic of the backside of the timing chain cover to give you an idea of what is back there.

-B-

[CruisinGA]

B- That picture helps a ton. Where did it come from?

Removing the dizzy makes it easier to get at one of the bolts that comes down through the head to the top of the cover, but it is not necessary.

I've spoken with Dan a couple times about his repair, but it has been a couple years, so thanks for filling in some details.

I've pried A LOT at the three points the FSM mentions. The lower PS pry location has by far the most effect(visibly seperating the cover by about .005-.010" , but the other two have little to no effect.

The upper oil pan was similarly difficult to get off, but some heat and repetitious prying where it would move eventually worked it free. I'm about to try some heat, with the repetitious prying, I'm just very concerned about damaging this cover.

[cruiserdan]

The water bypass pipe has to come off as well as the bypass hose that crosses the head.
Have you removed the power steering pump and the bolts that go down from the front of the head into the top of the timing cover?

[CruisinGA]

PS pump, bypass pipe, and bolts from the front of the head down are all off.

I will never, ever tackle this job again without a lift. Between pulling the oil pan, changing all the bearings, and this cover, I've probably spent in excess of 24 hours on my back under this truck.

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by CruisinGA

B- That picture helps a ton. Where did it come from?

Dan had a new timing chain cover on hand when he replaced the 5 cent oil galley plug. I snapped a few pics of both sides while it was on the workbench. I dug through the old pics of that project when you reported you were having problems. I was hoping some of the pics might help.

I tried to take a couple of pics when he was installing the TC cover but they came out really crappy and are basically useless.

Let me know if you have a specific picture that you think might help. I have some from underneath but they look like the ones you've already posted.

Good Luck Bailey!
-B-

[CruisinGA]

WOOO!

Finally got the cover off. Literally the only reason I got it off without breaking it was because of Beo's picture.

There were two bolts left, so covered in sludge I couldn't see them, (and believe me, I looked!). I found one immediately after looking at the picture, and thought that had to be it, after another 30 min of prying and light applications of the hot wrench, I checked the picture again and found another.

The headgasket remained intact.

Another chunk of the timing chain slipper fell out when pulled the cover...

At least all of this will make for the easiest oil pump o-ring change ever

Pictures this evening when it's all done.