Timing Cover/Seal Replacement

Ref: Chilton's Auto Repair Manual 1964-1971

Timing Cover Removal and Installation

1 - Drain and remove radiator.

2 - Remove harmonic balancer using a puller. There are two basic types of pullers, a dedicated balancer puller with appropriate bolts and a gear puller. The dedicated balancer puller is much easier to work with and, as an added bonus, can be used as a steering wheel puller as well.

3 - Remove water pump, timing gear cover attaching bolts, cover, and gasket.

4 - The harmonic balancer is press fit on the crankshaft. It is highly recommended to use a balancer installation tool to reinstall the balancer. An engine stop tool can be screwed into any spark plug hole to prevent the crankshaft from turning when installing the balancer. Not all 6 and 8 cylinder engines have a threaded hole in the snout of the crankshaft for a retaining bolt that the balancer installation tool can be fitted to. You have two choices if you want to 'upgrade' to a balancer bolt, either drill and tap a hole in the end of the crankshaft (there are several YouTube videos on how to do this, or if the engine is already removed and disassembled, a machine shop should be able to drill and tap the appropriate hole). In lieu of a balancer installation tool you'll have to resort to a hammer/block of wood method to reinstall the balancer. Thousands of Chevy V8s have been running for years without a safety bolt to retain the balancer so you have to ask yourself if it is worth the effort to modify your crankshaft to accept one.

Oil Seal Replacement

1 - Your timing cover gasket kit should include a new oil seal. Pry the old seal out of the front cover with a large screwdriver.

2 - Install new oil seal with lip (open side of seal) inside (towards the engine) and drive or press seal into place.

3 - Clean all old gasket material and front oil pan seal from the timing cover and the engine block and oil pan before reinstalling the timing cover.

A harmonic balancer is just one term used along with 'harmonic damper,' 'crankshaft damper,' 'torsional damper,' 'vibration damper,' and whatever tem is used in your area. All are the same basic device. A harmonic balancer includes a counterweight to externally balance the rotating assembly. When shopping online you will run into the various terms.