5.0 V8 timing (front) cover re-installation questions

[burnsl]

The front timing cover of my 2000 EB Explorer has failed spectacularly.

I have searched and read ALL the results related to 5.0 V8 timing cover replacements.

I know about how difficult it is to seal the front oil pan gasket.

I submit these pictures to the group here to let me know what I am seeing, and precisely what SHOULD happen next to ensure that I get a perfect seal.

I plan to brake-parts clean the area to surgical cleanliness, and all that, and I have the "highest-end" black RTV that claims it is the MOST oil resistant.

I also have the FEL-PRO gasket set with the "repair sleeve"... ? What IS that exactly?

I don't know.

do i HAVE to hack off these metal parts of the oil pan gasket, or can i paint RTV on the bottom and top (ensuring it's squeaky clean of oil and allow them to stay? (NOTE: there are rings in the metal to prevent over torquing of the oil pan bolts and blowing out the gasket. - (I think that's helpful if we can find a way to save this metal, just an opinion)

Also there is a rubber seal on the key way that is in these pictures, you may note that it is not solid and/or has disintegrated.

What do I do about that? Is the actually a seal here on the key-way?!

 

[1998Exp]

Welcome to the most annoying hassle of the 5.0L!!! Luckily, it seems to be the only one...

1) After many miles of service the front seal wears a groove in the nose of the balancer, and can't seal properly anymore. The sleeve is intended to remedy this without purchasing a new balancer. Opinions on the success of such a repair vary. It also depends on the quality of the sleeve. The general rule seems to be that if the groove is not deep enough to catch your fingernail, no repair is needed.

2) The shaft keyway is sealed with RTV. Just smear some in the balancer before you install it. There is no gasket.

3) Yes, sealing the bottom to the oil pan is a challenge. Some report success with your suggested method - especially if the metal-backed gasket is still completely intact. I tried it and ended with a small but annoying leak in one corner - probably because I had trouble maneuvering the cover into place, and most of my RTV was wiped out in the process. Had to repeat the job, this time with the cork pieces. So far so good after about six months... If you use those, don't repeat my mistake, and don't torque the bolts to what the book specifies, because the book numbers are for the metal-backed gasket. Probably about half of that is good enough for cork.

4) By the way, if there is any slack in the chain (and there probably is, unless your vehicle is low mileage), this is the time to replace it.

Good Luck!

 

[burnsl]

Thanks 1998EXP!

I am posting an image of the sleeve from FEL-PRO to get an opinion, because the balancer is REALLY grooved.

My suggestion to allow the metal to remain means ONLY the metal, and then I add RTV above and below, and make sure that it is firmly inserted in the block-to-pan-to front interface as well.

There is no more gasket material above or below the metal, and the metal is completely bare. I'm thinking leaving it in, and allowing the RTV to set up (just a bit) before installation will help ensure a tight fit.

Note that I will lube the cover with fresh RTV before i install to ensure that it slips and does not catch.

here is the sleeve I have from the box...
(dead links)
Thoughts?