After I put the new cam in tonight I went to put on one of those fancy shmansy chrome timing covers and realized that it just doesn't seem possible to replace that cover without dropping the oil pan. Am I pissing something here?????? There is just NO way to compress that gasket enough to get it under that lip!

 

did you read the directions that should have been included with that fancy shmansy chrome cover? ive only done a few timing gear covers, and ive always had the oil pan off do them (since that gasket always leaks too). i would suggest dropping the pan and replacing the oil pan gasket while youre at it, if you havent already. or you can try to squish the seal in and hope that it seats correctly

 

instructions said 'install timing cover..............' Gawd I had an awful time tonight with her. timing cover wouldnt go in, I think i tore 4 or 5 valve seals as I installed em......The machine shop who cut the guides also gave me some seals, man were they a beyotch to hammer on!

 

hammering seals? by god, what in the hell are you doing?

according to the good book, on the 85 and later block, the oil pan has to be removed for the front cover seal to be properly installed

 

The seals would not 'tap' into place. I had to put a block of wood on top of them and pound them down. The old socket method just wouldnt fit. Damn, I may need a break from this project.....