I was able to pull the timing cover off without unbolting the oil pan. I've heard that I would have to drop the front of the oil pan. There's a felpro gasket on the oil pan and it doesn't appear damaged whatsoever from removing the timing cover. Should I put black RTV on the front lip of the oil pan gasket that the timing cover mates to? It doesn't appear to have had any originally.

One more question, would you advise placing rtv on the block side of the gasket or on the side of the accessories like the waterpump and timing chain cover?

 

I always put a thin coat of RTV on both sides of the timing cover and water pump gaskets. Makes it alot easier for gasket removal next time.

Good luck getting that timing cover back on. Hope it goes on as easy as it came off. I've always had to drop the front of the oil pan.

 

I've done that also without taking the oilpan off. I did use black RTV on it when I replaced the timing cover. Haven't had any problems with it since.

 

It won't be easy to get the front cover back on without dropping the pan, and you take a chance of ripping the oil pan gasket (which is not fun to change out). Dropping the pan a little will give you less headaches IMO.

 

Thanks you guys! I really hope the Timing cover will go back on without issues.

Now, while I have the cover off and am trying to remove the seals, how can I pop the opti seal out? I tried popping it off with a screwdriver and hammer but that thing is on there really good. Should I wait until it's back on and use a seal remover?

 

I didn't have an issue getting my seals out. Just give it a good whack but be careful not to break the timing cover.

Be VERY careful when putting the water pump drive seal in. I screwed it up the first time and it leaked like a ****.

What I did was slid the seal over a 13mm socket (i think, I don't remember exactly), then slid that over the water pump drive gear, then slid like a 3/4 socket over that one, and tapped the seal in using the 3/4 as a driver. That way, the rubber and paper seal do not get damaged going on all **** eyed.

I found a writeup on another forum where a guy used an "expo" dry erase marker cut in half to slide the seal over to keep the seal in place the way it should be.

Don't screw this up. It will leak like crazy and you'll have to pull the WP and opti all over again.

 

Keep hoping. Doing it without dropping the pan is the wrong way.

It might be easier to pop the seals out with the cover secured to the engine, but I removed mine with the cover off.

 

http://www.impalasuperstore.com/nais...84&whichpage=1

 

Stl, that is a great thread.

raroz28, EDIT: Nevermind, I understand the need for the need for the tool to slide the seal over the wp gear.

 

I used a piece of PVC to replace the waterpump seal after I replaced the timing cover. Trying to negotiate the cover back on takes a little patience, and finesse.... especially if you are not going to drop the oil pan. I agree w/ shoebox, your doing it the wrong way..

 

Folks, I did as recommended and dropped the pan, everything went in fine. New seals were popped in.

And one final question. Does it matter what direction I reinstall the hub arrow back on? I've been reading some past posts that say it doesn't matter and others that say it does?

 

It doesn't really matter, but it would be nice to know for future reference where TDC is. The pulley can only go on one way onto the hub so the arrow is at the mercy of the hub orientation.