timing cover

[Hollywood Dave]

I have just had my 360 rebuilt...we had a problem with the oil pump leaking. My mechanic said he "sanded" the two suf\rfaces down as much as he can and he can't go anymore because of the pump gears. Is he correct? I hear the covers aren't cheap. I also have heard that it may take a while for this gasket to seat. (I find that hard to believe) Has anyone had any experience with this.

I have also heard of an improved aftermarket cover. Any info...anyone?

[River Beast]

The surface between the timing chain cover and the plate that cover the oil pump gears has a specific "tolerance" or space that is required to allow the oil pump gears to perform properly. The gasket that goes between these two surfaces is called a tolerance gasket. I have personally had my cover off numerous times to stop a leak. I have noticed a difference in thicknesses of that particular gasket, between various companies, that make the timing chain cover gasket set. The reason I say all this is... I think sanding the surfaces may have done more harm than good. The covers are around $235-$250 range and the "improved cover" that you mentioned has been talked about here in the Forum before but I can't recall the exact price...I do know that it about floored me! http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~zeimet/ubb/eek.gif Don't used any sealant compounds on this gasket either... may gum up the journals in the pump. Sorry if I am the bearer of bad news... don't feel bad....I have lived with my leak for 1.5 years and fixed it....and 6 months later I found a hairline crack in my cover! http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~zeimet/ubb/mad.gif Others may disagree with what I have said... this is what I have been told when going thru my dilemma...

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TJ
78 Wagoneer "River Beast"
360/TH400/QT
Dana 44's w/ 3.54's (soon to be 4.88's)
7" SOA conversion
4" Skyjacker Softride
3" Trailmaster Bodylift
33x12.50's on 15x10's
(soon 38.5x14.50's on 12's)
My FSJ site: http://www.geocities.com/~spazz4life (http://www.geocities.com/~spazz4life)
"Where there's a hill...there's a way!"

[FSJ_Extreme]

New covers can be bought at http://www.4wd.com or http://www.thejeep.com/8129373/

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Sergio & Ulrike
1975 Wagoneer "Extreme"
401 AMC w/Edelbrock
Performer Package

[ClarkGriswald]

Oh my god! A timing chain cover cost's that much for a amc 360?? oh my god !(again) why?? why is it such a critical part?? I say before you answer me that I am very unfamiliar with these motors as yet. and am now being swayed even that much closer to putting in a smallblock chevy(which i am familiar with heheh) Yikes.. im really glad that mine runs pretty good for now cause i dont think i want to do all that work for a screwy motor like that.. would rather do all that work for something that im familiar with and is cheap to rebuild.. WOW> thats pricey.. (shocked) hehe

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88 Grand Wagoneer
D44's front\rear
AMC 360
TF 727
NP 229 (Funky)
Bone Stock (for now)
NO RUNNING BOARDS!

[River Beast]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ClarkGriswald:
Oh my god! A timing chain cover cost's that much for a amc 360?? oh my god !(again) why?? why is it such a critical part?? .......and am now being swayed even that much closer to putting in a smallblock chevy(which i am familiar with heheh) Yikes.. WOW&gt; thats pricey.. (shocked) hehe

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yup... The reason why...
(1) It's cast aluminum
(2) It houses the:
a. water pump
b. oil pump
c. distributor
d. oil filter

The mods for dropping in a Ch*vy 350 may not be as easy as you think. If you ever decide to go that route... try talking to Ken Weatherall with his GM 5.7 in a 66 Superwag or George Andrews with his TBI 454 in a 82 W/T Cheokee. Both can be found on the IFSJA site. Here are th link to their sites:

Ken's http://home.earthlink.net/~kenns9/index.html

George's
http://home.off-road.com/~ifsja/readers/cherokees/andrews.htm



------------------
TJ
78 Wagoneer "River Beast"
360/TH400/QT
Dana 44's w/ 3.54's (soon to be 4.88's)
7" SOA conversion
4" Skyjacker Softride
3" Trailmaster Bodylift
33x12.50's on 15x10's
(soon 38.5x14.50's on 12's)
My FSJ site: http://www.geocities.com/~spazz4life (http://www.geocities.com/~spazz4life)
"Where there's a hill...there's a way!"

[Ralph]

I would look for one of the remanufactured units that has steel inserts where the wear patterns normally occur. I know Jeff Kennedy has them, but I'm not sure of his price: (614) 879-7283.

That's what I'm going to use when I rebuild my engine.

[This message has been edited by Ralph (edited July 19, 2000).]

[RUDY79]

Yes they are EXPENSIVE. I cracked mine when istalling my rebuilt motor and ended up having a shop weld it instead ($50.00) it still has a permanent moist spot but I can live with it.