Front cover gasket

[rizzjc]

OK, so I've been fighting with a lot of stuff, and long story short, I have my front cover off, and am going to replace the timing set. Of course, when I got in there, I found out what I really didn't want to .... the oil pan gasket is one piece , metal and rubber. It's looking like I will have to cut the gasket where it sticks out from the block, and replace it with the cork gasket from the gasket kit. I *could* leave the existing gasket in place, and add some RTV too.

Basically, I'm looking for opinions from those who have done this. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[410Fortune]

is the stock gasket in good shape?

I am 90% sure my oil pan gasket was two pieces and I used the new piece I bought from Ford when I did the cam install

If the stock gasket is in good shape I vote clean it up, re-do the corners with RTV, perhaps even use some gasket glue on both surfaces to ensure it seals and put it back together

 

[rizzjc]

It's in pretty good shape. I chewed up the outside edge of the metal part slightly on one side ... due to the fact I didn't know it was there. But the rubber looks perfect, and yeah, I think with some RTV it'll be good. The other thing I worry about with cutting it is the difference in spacing due to the replacement pieces being cork. Just needed someone to back me up.

I'll be working on the timing set, hopefully tonight. Gotta get things turned to line it up to vertical before I pull it off. The next thing I am wondering about it what I have to do to keep the cam in position when I pull the sprocket off.

 

[White98]

It's in pretty good shape. I chewed up the outside edge of the metal part slightly on one side ... due to the fact I didn't know it was there. But the rubber looks perfect, and yeah, I think with some RTV it'll be good. The other thing I worry about with cutting it is the difference in spacing due to the replacement pieces being cork. Just needed someone to back me up.

I'll be working on the timing set, hopefully tonight. Gotta get things turned to line it up to vertical before I pull it off. The next thing I am wondering about it what I have to do to keep the cam in position when I pull the sprocket off.

I just go don doing this in my '98. I assume that you have a 4.0sohc. Why did you remove the oil pan gasket? You do not need to remove it to do the timing components. As long as you did not destroy the rubber, you should be OK to append the gasket with a liberal helping of Black RTV. To hold the cam in place, you need a special set of tools. Having the tools is a must IMO. OTC makes a set for this application "OTC-6488" runs about $160-200 for the set. Your new gaskets should be plain gasket material with a "plastic-y" coating. I got my set from advance for $25. Comes with the oil pump gaskets, WP gasket, timing cover gasket, and the Crank seal.

 

[410Fortune]

no he has a 5.0L V8, different animal

the gasket I got was from ford and was the same rubber that was OEM on the timing conver

mark the cam sensor body and the position of the rotor, then re-install exaclty the same and you will be fine, that is IF you have to remove it, I dont remember

 

[White98]

My ignorance. Sorry, should have read his sig.

 

[rizzjc]

mark the cam sensor body and the position of the rotor, then re-install exaclty the same and you will be fine, that is IF you have to remove it, I dont remember

Umm, OK, what is the cam sensor body? Ford manual says that after removing the cam sprocket nut, I can remove the cam sprocket, drive sprocket (not sure what they call the lower one), and timing chain, all at once. The thrust plate doesn't get touched, and holds the cam. But I was going to line up the cam sprocket to TDC, so that I could 1) see how far off timing is due to the slop in the chain, and 2) make it easier to line up when I put things back. The CPS mounts to the outside of the front cover, and only has one position, so I assumed it would just pick up the timing from the harmonic balancer, since that is keyed on the front shaft/sprocket.

Do I make any sense, or am I gonna blow it up?!

 

[410Fortune]

the cam sensor comes out just like a distributor
then you can reove the cam sensor cover and rotate the stator internally, but if you MARK the position of the cam body to the block and the cam stator inside before you remove it, you can put it back 100% the way it came out

see my pictures to understand better, the book is making it sound way too hard

I am not even sure you need to touch the cam sensor to get the timing gear off??? it rides on a gear ont eh front of the camshaft I believe, you are not removing the camshaft, just the timing gear off of it...

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes, don't pull the camshaft. Gently pry the cam gear off, bolt out, while holding the cam in place. Ultra Black RTV works better than any cork gasket, throw those away. Clean the area around the gasket where you disturbed it, all sides. Apply RTV lightly to where the OEM gasket is still basically intact. Add more RTV in the corners where the pan meets the block/timing cover, and where the gasket sticks up into the timing cover.

Start with all of that work, at TDC. You should already have the crank and cam gears lined up by their marks. Good luck,

 

[410Fortune]

yup CDW's the man

 

[rizzjc]

Thanks guy. I think I'll get it yet. Don't think I need to touch the sensor either - just want to make sure that keeping the cam in place is easy. My head is spinning , but it'll come together. At least I've got a good backup ride with my '92 Lexus SC400!

If I have time tonight (with the kids) I'll be removing the old cover gasket, trying not to drop the pieces into the oil pan. Shopping bag should take care of that.

 

[CDW6212R]

Do drain and change the oil anyway. It is very likel that coolant will trickle out and down into the pan. The two block holes are the lowest drains, besides the block drain plugs which are usually seized. Night,

 

[rizzjc]

Thanks. I thought of that after I took it apart. I'm sure some did get in there. Well, that last Amsoil oil change just became a little painful. Pocket change in comparison to the timing set though!