Betty's "I want to be a mule" progress log thread | Page 78 | Ford Explorer Forums

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Betty's "I want to be a mule" progress log thread

Bolts out, that's #1 goal, done. I loosened as many of the oil pan bolts as I could reach, including those above the mounts. I didn't want to fight it too much, and I don't know if it really helped a lot. The middle curved section is what I think is hooked by the pan the most.
 



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Bolts out, that's #1 goal, done. I loosened as many of the oil pan bolts as I could reach, including those above the mounts. I didn't want to fight it too much, and I don't know if it really helped a lot. The middle curved section is what I think is hooked by the pan the most.
You're telling me! Once I knew those bolts were loose, I felt a lot better. It's actually 2 of the water pump bolts that seem to swell with gunk on the sealant. I think I may get try to keep the sealant 1/2" or so off the tips of threaded end.

I stopped for dinner, which turned into for the night but tomorrow brings more joy.
 






Oh boy these gasket surfaces are tricky to get to. Sure glad I have time, as the guy who stuck it on last time used something hard, not gooey to hold the gasket. Most of the blue is gone after scraping with a razor blade. Gonna use scotch Brite now.

I was hung up because of oil pan , once it dropped a bit , and I remembered the dowels pulling the time ng cover went ok. I also had removed the accessories brackets hoping for room, but this stunt causes more grief than it's worth, so, I had to fight em back into place using straps. My spine ain't going to let me lift and hold so I find shortcuts.
 






Everything but the one thing is here.

Still waiting on timing cover. First ordered, last to obey.
When it does arrive, of course the color has to change. I think chrome would be best, a lighter color will show any leak sooner that dark. Chrome requires a second trip thru remask, booth and oven.

Bright red might look good up in there also, and only needs one coat.
Decisions.
 






Ford blue
 












How have you come with matching the OEM Toreador Red? I know not much is visible with everything together, I've only planned to do the valve covers in red, most of the rest of the long block black. I really like that dark grey you used a lot on brackets etc.
 






How have you come with matching the OEM Toreador Red? I know not much is visible with everything together, I've only planned to do the valve covers in red, most of the rest of the long block black. I really like that dark grey you used a lot on brackets etc.

That red is going to be tough to duplicate, but close can be achieved. The factory clear has pink tint to kill the silver glare of the metal flake in the red base.

The correct champange gold base with red tinted clear is where I'd start.

Anthracite gray is the color. That might look good.
 






Well, since only 3 people cared, and timing cover just now arrived, it's just going on. Other reasons have me needing this on the road yesterday.

I know, disblingappointment.
 






Now now now. I do care about the Betty, and her timing cover. I want her to be well and serve you as she was made to do. The color of the timing cover is entirely up to you, as you are a far better judge of the correct color than I am (not to mention much more adept at applying it!) I hope all goes well.
 






So, finally got the timing cover and water pump on.

Thought I thought it all out but it still ended up being a fight . Didn't notice the punch out holes for the dowels until it wouldn't go over. Silly mistake.

I do have good globs of rtv out of all corners so fingers crossed oil stays in the pan.

Got some baby backs on the smoker, one cold beer, life is good. Back at this tomorrow.
 






Meanwhile, repair sleeve for harmonic balancer seal surface? Yes, no?
IMG_20231110_160015267_HDR.jpg
 












That looks like a tiny wear groove, can you feel it at all? Mine looked similar and the new balancer plus seal ended my front leak. The rear is tougher, I think the front sleeve does work. Most say for the rear a sleeve will put more tension on the seal and make it wear out faster.

That looks slight, if it feels rather smooth, a new seal may be all it needed.
 






@CDW6212R I can feel the groove with my fingernail, so it's getting the sleeve.


Balancer in freezer, sleeve heating in oven. Should slide right on
 






You can use the sleeve, yes they work
However another trick I learned is just don’t seat the front seal 100% leave it out 1/16 or 1/8” and the seal will no longer ride where the groove is

Good job so far! This truck is one of the forum main stays she needs new parts sometimes

I hate those locating dowels, and I really hate the stupid Little Blue gasket punch outs!! Have caught me many times in the past

I have put together quite a few 5.0 timing covers with just one or none of the dowls in place, makes install so much cleaner
 






You can use the sleeve, yes they work
However another trick I learned is just don’t seat the front seal 100% leave it out 1/16 or 1/8” and the seal will no longer ride where the groove is

Good job so far! This truck is one of the forum main stays she needs new parts sometimes

I hate those locating dowels, and I really hate the stupid Little Blue gasket punch outs!! Have caught me many times in the past
Thanks. I did remember reading about the front seal depth, and seated it with some gap at seat. About 1/16 - 1/8 " out.

Thinking out loud , is the seal in the fel pro timing gasket set with sleeve , sized to use the sleeve?
 






Yes if you got the kit w the sleeve then that seal is for the sleeve, at least that is how I understand it. Felpro sells two kits one w sleeve one without. Maybe cross part numbers on the two seals see if there is a difference

I also leave the oil pan drain plug out while I service the timing cover. I use aluminum’s foil to keep crap out of the oil pan, but some coolant and gasket material always finds its way in. So I will use a half quart or full quart of cheapo oil to flush out the front of the pan
 









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