First time the timing chain cover of the '99 5.0 is being removed due to coolant leaks and a 200k mile factory chain.

Is the factory oil pan gasket one piece?

Am trying to separate the cover from the block and the oil pan. Do I just keep prying until something lets loose or do I need to cut something?

Many thanks!

 

Got the timing cover off by prying it away from the block at the top, and then 'stabbing' a disposable knife blade between the timing cover and oil pan to separate what felt like an adhesive between the two. This let the cover be gently pried outward until it came free of its two locator sleeves that orient the timing cover to the block so the crankshaft seal is in the correct location.

With the cover removed, a metal 'gasket' was exposed. This was flat, and while the rest of it under the block and between the oil pan may have some rubber printed on either side, the 'finger' that is under the timing cover appears to be unprinted with a rubber seal, and in the factory assembly, had a bead of silicone on top and under it. This metal finger also engaged the crescent shaped rubber seal that oil pan around the rounded bottom part of the timing cover, in the same manner I am familiar with the cork gasket pieces that are usually supplied for this location.

I did not feel I could adequately clean the top and bottom surfaces of this metal finger for a good adhesive bond. Also, I did not trust the applied sealant to properly fill this gap between the timing cover and oil pan, especially with all of the moving and juggling around reinstalling the cover will require. So, as close to the block as I could, I bent the tab up, then down, and repeated until it broke off.

One side broke cleanly in the corner, the other had a small amount protruding out. I filed a matching about off of that corner on the timing chain. Sealant should take care of any small gaps.

After a light spray of cleaner to the area and letting it evaporate, I used my finger to force sealant into the corner where the finger formerly protruded from. This will set overnight.

I test fit the cork pieces, trimmed them so they would locate perfectly centered on the two bolt holes, applied a thin layer of sealant to the surface of the timing cover and with light pressure, set the cork pieces into place. They are now setting up.

When they are secured, I will apply a layer or sealant on top of the exposed oil pan and a little oil on the curved part of the oil pan so the rubber gasket will slide into place.

Wish me luck...

 

About a year and a half later, she is still oil tight. I now also have a '96 Explorer with a 5.0 and a leaking timing chain cover, so I will get to do this again.

Only 78,000 miles on it but no way I'm going this far without putting in a new timing chain.

 

Cheap insurance. Also be careful because the water pump bolts will sometimes seize in the timing cover and break off. Good luck.