To make a long story short, I'm pulling off my water pump and opti. While I'm at it I'll probably also replace the water pump shaft seal and the opti seal, both in the timing cover. I'd really like to not to have to pull the timing cover to replace the crank shaft/hub seal. Is it possible to replace that with out pulling the cover? If not, how bad are these for leaking? My car has 112K miles. If I end up pulling the timing cover I'll probably also replace the oil pan gasket - see everything snow *****! I would think the timing cover gasket and oil pan gasket would last many more miles w/o leaking. The seals, however, will wear out from friction. I do plan on keeping the car for a while and do not want to pull everything off later for an oil leak.

 

this has been addressed many times before, a search would reveal a lot.

Yes you can change the crank shaft seal w/o pulling the cover, its just more of a pain, and you'll definitely want to, since they start leaking at around 100k -- you're due for it. It's more of a pain because you got the crank in your way when your trying to tap the new seal in. This is normally done the best with a block of wood, but have a shaft complicates it. I cut a hole in a block of wood and used a large socket to tap it in. The socket is to distribute the blow evenly, the block of wood is to prevent beating up your new seal.

You have to drop the pan to pull the timing cover, so you'll definitely need to replace the oil pan gasket.

You'll need a balancer puller and a 3" 7/16-20 bolt, for your pull to push on. and three more bolts for your puller to pull on (I think maybe 7/16 too, not sure)

Also, the bolt that goes in your balancer has threads that stretch like head bolts, so you're supposed to replace it. Torque on that bolt is 75 ft-lbs.

 

You can replace the seals without removing the cover.

 

well, after getting the opti off pulling the timing cover looks pretty straight forward. So does the pan. I'll most likely go w/ the felpro tc gaskets& seals and pan gasket.
Now I have another question, since I'll be taking the cover off would it be a good idea to replace my timing chain and sprockets? its an extra $75!

 

As long as it looks like the chain isn't riding up on the cam gear (its stretched), I wouldn't. From what I've heard, the timing chain will almost always outlast the bottom end. But I'm sure others will say to replace it. I could find a lot of other things to spend $75 on.

Shoebox?

-Sean

 

ok, ok. One more question about the hub bolt. Are you sure it is required to be replaced? (called torque to yield, right?) I just finished reading the service manual for an LT1 vette and it says nothing about requiring replacement of the bolt.
Thanks a bunch for the replies!

 

yah, it's supposed to be replaced. They say you balancer can walk off the crank if you don't. But I've never heard of that actually happening. I'm sure a lot of guys don't do it. But the bolt costs all of like $2 at the dealer.

-Sean

 

I did one on a caprice at work and did it just fine without taking the cover off. a sockt that fits around the outside f the seal and a little gental taping works fine

 

With 112k miles I would definitely replace the timing set. I guess the hub bolt would be good insurance, but I don't think many people are replacing theirs (I haven't).

 

Well, I ordered all the parts.
Timing Chain, cam sprocket, crank sprocket, hub bolt, opti, water pump, and an extra wp seal and opti seal. I'll also be using the Felpro oil pan gasket and timing cover gasket sets. After reading about so many failed wp seal replacements I ordered those two extra seals from GM in case I screwed it up the 1st time. I should be real busy next week! I'm also replacing all the radiator hoses... they probably need it too.

Just this past month I've replaced flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, pilot bushing, drive shaft u-joints, trans rear seal, trans driveshaft bushing, rear main seal, and intake gaskets. this is gonna be like a whole new car....

 

go ahead and replace your fuel filter, fuel pump, suspension bushings, air filter, serp. belt, and ICM (cause those go out, you know) too.



-Sean