Did I mess up my timing cover

[Mitchs07explorer]

97 5.0 AWD
I finally got some free time to work on my car, I've been installing the timing chain at a snails pace due to lack of time. Yesterday I finally got around to cleaning the cover up. The gasket was incredibly difficult to remove so not thinking very smartly (forgetting the cover was aluminum) I took a steel brush wheel to strip the gasket off. In doing so I left minuscule grooves in areas where the gasket goes. When the cover was originally cast it was left with some pits and cavities in certain areas where the gasket goes and seemed to perform fine. So am I over concerned about what I've done or should I buy a new cover?

 

[poker4me007]

I wouldn't worry about it, put a thin layer of Permatex ultra black rtv on it with the gasket, I do it all the time.

 

[Mitchs07explorer]

I wouldn't worry about it, put a thin layer of Permatex ultra black rtv on it with the gasket, I do it all the time.

That's what I was thinking about doing but wasn't sure if it was okay to use with the oe gasket.

 

[fast_dave]

In this situation, this is your new friend ;-)

BTW - NICE PICS!

Although it can be used to replace a gasket, use it with your gasket.

Coat both sides of the gasket, slather it on.

Make sure all metal surfaces are wiped clean of oil with brake cleaner and clean high nap rags (like the inside of a tube sock) to get all the oil in the peaks and valleys .

New style packaging is on top, old style packaging on the bottom.

Both are the same product - none better - it will save your a**

 

[J_C]

You could also smooth it down a little with a sanding block... not to make it perfect, just to take the high points off.

 

[Mitchs07explorer]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna give it a go right now, hopefully all goes well. Fingers crossed

 

[fast_dave]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna give it a go right now, hopefully all goes well. Fingers crossed

If at all possible, I'd let everything cure 24hrs before refilling the cooling system - just saying...

Good luck - we're rooting for you!!!

 

[Mitchs07explorer]

lol thanks, really the only part im worried about us actually where the water pump mounts, towards the bottom is where the gasket was stuck on the worst and i where wire wheeled it the most But I think you're right I think the RTV should easily fill those spaces and seal up just fine.

 

[fast_dave]

BTW - I don't know the exact bolt pattern on your 302 Timing Chain cover, but I do know the following from experience and interweb research which dealt specifically with the 302 small block FORD (and I carried over to my 4.0 OHV V-6 FORD).

1st, torque down the BOTTOM BOLTS that connect the timing cover to the oil pan.

2nd, torque down the bolts that go through the timing cover to the engine.

• NOTE: Depending on the total values required, it's good to try and do 2-3 steps of sequentially increasing torque values, working your way up to the maximum limit value.

A LOT of ACTION is going on with both the vibrations on the timing cover, as well as having that water pump hanging off of it...

You might even consider, if possible, connecting the timing cover today, and letting everything cure overnight before then connecting the water pump, and then again, letting the water pump adhesives cure 24 hours before introducing coolant.

Hope that helps!

 

[Mitchs07explorer]

Everything is back back together! Actually went together pretty easy, hopefully I RTV'd enough in the right places. I think I'll put the water pump on because I want the gasket to be sitting nice and flat against the cover and the block while the RTV cures. It'll definitely sit for a couple of days before I put any fluids in it. Thanks for all the advice, hopefully I don't get any leaks.

 

[Mitchs07explorer]

I didn't get to put the water pump on last night due to time constraints so hopefully today after work I'll be able to or sometime this week. Next I will install the cam shaft sensor and synchronizer, start it up and see if it leaks as well as reset my dtc codes. The only other engine issue I'll need to address at that point is the cracked EGR tube. I might have a cracked passenger side exhaust manifold but won't know for sure until I replace the EGR tube.

I'm hoping that'll be it for getting the engine in good running order. I'd like to start focusing on other areas of the car and be able to drive it soon