Beware full throttles Hv front cover

[Blown&Injected]

The front cover issue is nothing new - lots of problems with Silver Seal.

My Sivler Seal has a hole clear thru one of the bolt holes from the crank case side to the out side!

 

[Mike Licht]

First thanks for the support. Of course we would not sell a knowingly bad part. We have sold hundreds of these covers and msot of them are fine. We have seen some problems from time to time but we have worked with them in the past and been able to resolve them. Looks like we need to get with them again. After we move at the end of the week and we have a bigger shop area we will be able to offer assembled and blueprinted covers again. Hopefully this will help some folks out. Sorry for the problems I will take them up with the manufacturer.
Mike

 

[kellyd]

Which port was cast over?

Thanks, Dave

 

[corsair231]

I've had problems with Silverseal as well. While doing EB's mods I hit a pitt that opened up from the pressure passage and into a bolt hole. Trash cover 1. The second cover didn't seem to be as porus but the oil pump cover holes were not pretty. One had a grove that covered the first few threads but the bolt went in okay so I used it. It doesn't seem to leak so far. It also had the pick-up tube not drilled all the way through which I had to fix. Luckily I caught it before I assembled everything. I wonder if there is a similar cover that uses the upper pickup instead of the lower and the manufacturer's employee just didn't catch it while doing the tooling setup? Maybe series 1 FWD?

 

[WSLN 6]

I bought mine from Mike as well, (HV front cover) and it had some casting flash that needed to be removed and one hole wasn't drilled out for a mounting bolt. I kinda expected this, so comparing was the key.
Mine also has a hairline crack on top of the oil pump gear cavity that pissed oil hard under full throttle.
JB Weld is my friend.......
Not Mike's fault though.

 

[jstahl]

Which port was cast over?

Thanks, Dave

I believe it is the top hole. There was a wall of casting in there about half way in. I think it could have been knocked out but then there would be no evidence.

 

[hemi8]

JSTAHL, I thought I was the only one who experienced all those headaches. I paid almost 500.00 for a TA timing because I thought I could side step all this crap if I let the pro's set me up with a fully prepared cover. Well, it cracked at the exact place you mentioned when I first built the engine (took me quite a while to figure it out). I had Weber repair the crack. I am now installing it again after pulling it off for the 4th time, this time I am losing oil out the front seal. I noticed the crank is not centered in the timing cover seal, its close, but it is off center and is definately noticable to the eye by sliding on a crank turning socket. Why is it so hard to make a good cover? Is Dan the only guy in the universe that sells a quality unit? Did I throw another 500 smackers down the drain? What a bastard of an engine.

 

[jstahl]

Ha! Talk about a blast to the miserable past. (only that small point in time mind you.)

I feel for you. Taking that cover off and on is not fun. Not matter how good you get at it. RJC girdle? No problem.

I have not researched the TA covers. If they put as much detail into that cover as they did their stainless headders, I would have no reservation buying one.

Pictures would be nice. Would be great visual aids potentially helping others determine they have an issue. :wink:

Jud

 

[forcedfedv6]

It is upt to the buyer to check all oil passages before installing and do clean up as necessary, i personally know of 3 HV front covers that the oil holes were almost or completly close up due to the casting, just take a long dreemel and have at it to clean it up, simple as that..

 

[GNVYUS 1]

I love it, the guy gets reamed because he spends his $$ on a part that blows and everyone says it's his fault. He did his part by paying 100% of his bill, is the part 100% worth that $$, NO.

This is the only board I can think of that blames the buyer for purchasing $hit parts.

 

[redchilipepper3]

first off, seems uncomfortable to know someone can't really express themselves about a product and gets there message edited by someone other than the origional writer?????
secondly, Mike is a stand up guy and stands behinds his products, so those that have dealth with him will back him up.... that's what members and community do "Support Each Other". I've bought some stuff from him and I've talk to him on the phone on several occaisions, so I speak from experience.

thirdly, i think it's a correct statement to say to always check and double check when rebuilding. Its the only way to make sure the job gets done right and to your satifaction.

red

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Doubt that..

Agree. I am sure FT will get tis quality issue resolved with the MFG'er. :biggrin:

Unless someone there speaks Chinese..

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

A rookie’s point of view.

If I was to buy that same NEW part from a Vender here I would have also just dropped it in, unless the vender warned me to have it checked out.

If I was to buy that same part used I would have it checked out.

 

[Just a Six??]

Every Cover should come with a link to the Earl Brown thread to clean them up. Also a note regarding the fuel block off plate as I always have to shave them down a bit or they hit the block.
Special Additions does a nice ported & assembled cover but its $$$ when if you have $100 worth of tools & 4 hours you can do it yourself.

 

[Jerryl]

I am sure this one is made in China as well.

Earl Brown (?) sells complete modified covers as well.
Not sure where I saw it.

 

[Mike Licht]

there used to be two companies making them, now there is one so no matter where you buy it your getting the same one. Yes they are made overseas, they have been for the 15 years I have been selling them.
Mike

 

[Jerryl]

there used to be two companies making them, now there is one so no matter where you buy it your getting the same one. Yes they are made overseas, they have been for the 15 years I have been selling them.
Mike

Mike,
A little off the subject, but front cover related nevertheless.
Any chance to start carrying the front seal on the cover? (Maybe I missed it on the FT site )

 

[Mike Licht]

Mike,
A little off the subject, but front cover related nevertheless.
Any chance to start carrying the front seal on the cover? (Maybe I missed it on the FT site )

We have them in stock.
Mike

 

[hemi8]

My oil pressure is very good and TA did a fine job setting-up the pump, but the housing cracking and no alignment tool available to properly line-up the cover just bites. I can't believe there are no machinists here willing to make making such a tool. The cheesy method of setting roller cam end-play IMO needs to be re-thought also with a removable plate so the timing cover does not have to come on and off to set the end-play. All our settings deal with the crush of a gasket, what a joke, don't look at it wrong or the end-play will change, don't let it sit over night after torqueing or the end-play will change. Are there any engineers out there?
The picture is a LS1 timing cover alignment tool.
Mike
86 GN

 

[Mike Licht]

Since there is no hole in the cover that plan will not work. Cover alignment is done by the 2 dowels, generally guys beat them on and they crack to one of the dowels, not always but most of the ones I have seen were broke this way. You do however have a cam plug in the back which you can remove and put a dial indicator on the back of the cam. This is generally how I set them up, It does require one removal of the cover to adjust shims once you figure out where you are. Hope this helps you
Mike