Any recommendations for a good timing chain cover?

[Freddie's Buick]

Any recommendations for a good timing chain cover? I want to do some modding on one and I don't have time for u-picks, (3.8's are rare around my neck of the woods anyway).

If Eric Fisher is lurking around or anyone else who has a decent spare they don't need can it be shipped my way for some beer money...I'm interested. :biggrin:

Worst case scenario I'll buy a new one...that's why I asked for recommendations. But I'd rather have a good used one...money's tight.

 

[83turbomon]

try cloyes double roller timing chains. Heard nothing but good about them.... when it comes to timing gear covers, ask for Earl. He has some factory stock covers... all I know about him is that he likes porn???


Look at me giving advice... then again you might want to ask some of the master mechanics on here.

 

[charlief1]

LOL I'll see what I can dig up for you in the next week or so Freddie. Either Aj or myself should be able to find one for you. It just needs to stop raining here so I can get in one of the yards. Do you need 14 or 20 bolt?

 

[Freddie's Buick]

LOL I'll see what I can dig up for you in the next week or so Freddie. Either Aj or myself should be able to find one for you. It just needs to stop raining here so I can get in one of the yards. Do you need 14 or 20 bolt?

Don't remember...I'll check later this afternoon and give an update.

I'm thinking I'd like to tear into some oil pump mods. I have the whole Kenne Bell HV pump gears already installed in my current cover along with the KB aluminum booster plate. But if it's as simple as boring out a few holes in the cover I'd like to experiment with this and verify it on a one off donor.

Besides I'm tearing down the engine's top half since the heads are going to the shop for some valve guide liners. This along with fixing a real bad oil leak it's developed in the front intake seal. Might as well have some more knuckle scraping fun to add to it.

... when it comes to timing gear covers, ask for Earl. He has some factory stock covers... all I know about him is that he likes porn???

I want a nice clean donor cover not a smelly sticky one. lol...:biggrin:

 

[mat231v6]

here is the earl brown mod i did it to my car.
How to build a front cover/oil pump - TurboBuicks.com

 

[Freddie's Buick]

Yeah I saw that. But is'nt that an SFI cover? There are some differances however slight they are. I get the whole sanding the pump down to a sheen deal which works. But it's aluminum and it will get back to the scored worn used look in good time.

I think the steel thrust plate is good for the long haul, (it only replaces the surface and does not increase pressure I think). I've been looking for that plate, (my Kenne Bell is aluminum), for a while now. Is the Sealed Power one steel, cast or aluminum? (#224518TP).

I can get the Melling, (P-201), cast iron plate throught Advance Discount Auto, but I can't get any info on the Sealed Power.

 

[dr_frankenstein]

as for the differences in the cover the only difference is the extra pan bolts on the bottom.

identical otherwise.

sealed power is cast as well.

A.j.

 

[mat231v6]

Yeah I saw that. But is'nt that an SFI cover? There are some differances however slight they are. I get the whole sanding the pump down to a sheen deal which works. But it's aluminum and it will get back to the scored worn used look in good time.

the mod will work on both covers.

as for the differences in the cover the only difference is the extra pan bolts on the bottom.

identical otherwise.

A.J is right there is not much of a difference.

 

[charlief1]

There isn't enough of a difference between the 2 cover to cause an issue. The biggest problem you will encounter is the aftermarket ones aren't made as thick in the oil passages so you can have leaks as well as casting flaws.

 

[Freddie's Buick]

....sealed power is cast as well.

A.j.

Good info.

...The biggest problem you will encounter is the aftermarket ones aren't made as thick in the oil passages so you can have leaks as well as casting flaws.

Good info as well....discourages one from buying the cheap import stuff. What brand names are on that list?

 

[charlief1]

Unfortunatly all the after market ones are pretty much the same Freddie. Even TA's are made over sea now. The only source for a factory one is Earl now and he's got both of the designs. If you're lucky you might get one off evilbay but it's pretty much hit or miss on finding a factory one.

 

[mat231v6]

i hear that ta performance makes the best after market one. get the book how to build buick engines by jefferson bryant they have some good info in there.

 

[Freddie's Buick]

....Do you need 14 or 20 bolt?

14 bolt.

Just started rummaging through my KB box from 2000. I've got all their instructions for both the booster plate and HV pump. Great info to mate with Earl's brain fart. I've even got my original stock oil gears, (after checking them with a digital caliper they are barely used).

These and a junkerd cover should put me on a mechanical orgasm. Keep me informed and pm your beer price. You a Budman or a Corona snob? :biggrin:

i hear that ta performance makes the best after market one. get the book how to build buick engines by jefferson bryant they have some good info in there.

Thanks Mat. No need for me to get anymore books. I've got plenty. And as far as spending more money with T/A Performance that's just glitz. Recycle is were it's at. At least on my budget for now.

 

[charlief1]

Sent you a PM Freddie. Tell me what you think.

 

[WarWagon]

I also have an extra 14 bolt cover that is dirty and needs a new oil pump cover.

 

[Freddie's Buick]

I also have an extra 14 bolt cover that is dirty and needs a new oil pump cover.

Are you willing to part ways with it? Charlie has a spare and wanted to swap mine for his, but what I really want is a spare as a back up. I'd like to check the clearance on the pockets with my gears to figure tolerances. I don't care about the pump, (I have one on my ride).

 

[WarWagon]

Yeah sure Freddie it's just a spare for me and I know i'll never use it. The oil pump gear housing is all well, just the cover for the pump was scored pretty bad "it did have a HV kit on it". It's the Original GM cover from my 4.1

 

[Freddie's Buick]

....Yeah sure Freddie it's just a spare for me and I know i'll never use it.

Thanks! Now I'll ask you the same I asked of Charlie: 'pm me your beer price. You a Budman or a Corona snob? :biggrin: Lol...

 

[charlief1]

'You a Budman or a Corona snob? :biggrin: Lol...

PM me your vitals....

He lives in WV Freddie. I think he's a moonshine boy.:biggrin:

 

[Freddie's Buick]

I live near Daytona Beach...we drink rocket fuel...