well i gotta re seal the timing cover. im getting all the parts from GM, but haven't cracked open the fron of an LT1 befre and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. im sure this will be a good time to service the opti-spark as well. any info you guys could help with is appreciated.

thanks in advance
steve

 

What do you mean by resealing the timing cover? The cover gasket, the optispark drive seal, the water pump drive seal, crankshaft seal, what? At any rate if your going to remove the timing cover, take out all the bolts for the pan except the last two (just loosen them), let the pan drop down to allow the pan gasket to be free of the timing cover and then remove it. Be careful not to tear the pan gasket, as it is apt to be sealed in place at the front corners with RTV.

 

Best advice I can give is you NEED to drop the oil pan to properly put the t cover on straight. Otherwise you will tear the gasket. its not hard but needed and a PITA.

if your opti is not acting up, why spend the extra cash, if orignal and higher milage you could consider doing it.

 

Install the waterpump drive seal after the cover is remounted on the engine. It's very easy to roll over the inner lip of the seal.

 

well basicly then it sounds like i need to get a new clutch, cause i have to drop the oil pan (which i already have a new one) and replacing the pan means dropping the trans so i might as well do the clutch at that point. and i have all the stuff to do the opti so im gonna do that at the same time. oh and thanks for all the advice

 

heres a suggestion..its a PAIN IN THE ASSSSS to me..it was the hardest part when doin the motor/heads/cam...by far

 

You do not have to remove the transmission to drop the oil pan. First of all, you are only dropping the front of the pan to get sufficient clearance to remove the timing cover without tearing the oil pan gasket. You don't even have to take all of the pan bolts completely out to do that.