Timing cover

[pontiacgp]

I have an aftermarket aluminium timing cover that wasn't cheap and looks to be a good quality part and it came with the seal installed. I went to change the front seal since the front had a minor oil leak and I hate oil leaks no matter how small. I tried a Napa seal and a Felpro seal and both fit snugly but were not an interference fit. I glued them in place but I'm thinking if this cover is not as good as it looks. I couldn't find any reason for the minor oil leak so I'm wondering if the opening for the seal is off center and allowing a little oil to seep by. I can't find any seal that is a few thou larger than an OEM seal so my thoughts are it could be the cover is junk. Anyone else have an aftermarket cover that takes a different seal?

 

[oneowner88]

My cover came from Napa and therefore needed no seal. I don't like them anyways...stealing my fish away from me all the time!!
Hate that seal! :evil:

 

[Max Headroom]

It may not be your seal. If you have a stock engine, the harmonic balancer is supposed to neutralize vibrations caused by the internal stresses as the engine runs. However, as engines accumulate mileage, component wear, or in some cases abuse, this can produce "slack" where it shouldn't be. This may allow excessive vibration or even off center rotation of cam or crank. This in turn can result in seal seepage.

 

[houndin101]

i put a aftermarket T/C/C on mine and it leaks.its jus the nature of the beast.havent met anyone with aftermarket T/C/C without a leak

 

[455rocket]

Any of you guys try this reapair sleeve? If you have a groove worn in your balancer you'll never get it to seal. You can get these at local part stores, Summit or Jegs
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-16202/?rtype=10

 

[pontiacgp]

Thanks for the replies. My balancer isn't worn but that sleeve is a nice repair option if needed that I didn't know was available. I have the new seal in place so I'll see what happens.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Steve you are as old as me so you have probably been filling the wear grooves on balancers and other surfaces with Marine-Tex or JB Weld and polishing it down with wet/dry sandpaper like me. That works well but is labor intensive so they came out with those sleeves which get glued onto the balancer/companion flange/etc and provide a new surface for the seal. As a plus it would give you that extra few thousandths for the seal to ride on.

 

[pontiacgp]

I was thinking about that fix which gives you a larger diameter. The balancer I have now has no groove in it. It looks that it may have been replaced when it was rebuilt about 5 k before I bought the engine. I have a new seal in there now so I'lll see what happens. The old seal came with the cover so it could be that seal wasn 't the best quality. It wasn't really a leak but I don't like any drips coming off my car, it's bad enough there is one driving it ..