Replacing the front seal (AGAIN!)
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
Something I've often wondered about that front seal: Would worn crankshaft bearings have any effect? My hunch is worn bearings might let the crankshaft vibrate/bounce around a little bit. If the seal was rapidly flexing back and forth, it might have trouble keeping the oil contained.
Just thinking out loud.
Squirrel!
Just thinking out loud.
Squirrel!
Centering the timing cover is pretty critical this is why Ford went to the dowels later on and used a tool for the early ones like the LS motors do for centering the timing cover during install.
Now if the oil pan is off this is not much of an issue as you can line up the bottom of the timing cover with the block and get things close enough usually.
Now if the timing cover has been pulled to do a timing chain when it is being installed it will be forced up by the spliced in pan rail gasket and the pan end seal. If the tool is not used you can end up with with the cover sitting to high and potentially get a leak on the bottom side of the seal due to a lack of tension on it. Now this situation is compounded if there is some main bearing wear. As the front main bearing wears the top of the shell due to the tension of the accessory drive belts pulling it up so this can take even more tension off the bottom side of the seal and cause a leak.
Just as an FYI the tool is called a cylinder Front cover Pilot tool Ford tool number T61P-6019-B The same tool was used on the FE's
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 544
Likes: 7
From: Tulsa
“Now if the timing cover has been pulled to do a timing chain when it is being installed it will be forced up by the spliced in pan rail gasket and the pan end seal. If the tool is not used you can end up with with the cover sitting to high and potentially get a leak on the bottom side of the seal due to a lack of tension on it”
i think this nails it! I had a heck of I time when I last changed my seal trying to get the bolts to line up. -that’s with no dowels. I maybe just have to use silicone on that portion of the pan to keep the seal thin. I’ll tackle this over the weekend and see what happens.
i think this nails it! I had a heck of I time when I last changed my seal trying to get the bolts to line up. -that’s with no dowels. I maybe just have to use silicone on that portion of the pan to keep the seal thin. I’ll tackle this over the weekend and see what happens.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,014
Likes: 2,751
From: Virginia
I don't see how people change the front cover without dropping the pan a little bit. I have never been able to get them on and off doing it that way, even a chevy. I always have to loosen the bolts on the oil pan and let it drop a little bit to get the front cover on. More power to people who can do it, it would be less trouble if I didn't have to mess with the oil pan.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,014
Likes: 2,751
From: Virginia
You know what. It was a long time ago. I might have taken a older cover with no dowels, just bolts, and had to drill the bolt holes out to accept the new block's dowel pins. The dowels are hollow with the bolts in the middle. So now I am wondering if there really was a cover with smaller dowels, I am now not sure.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
I don't see how people change the front cover without dropping the pan a little bit. I have never been able to get them on and off doing it that way, even a chevy. I always have to loosen the bolts on the oil pan and let it drop a little bit to get the front cover on. More power to people who can do it, it would be less trouble if I didn't have to mess with the oil pan.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 544
Likes: 7
From: Tulsa
OK, I’ve been looking at Fel-Pro seals and front gaskets for my truck and for prior years; I really feel like this is not the original engine. Everything I have seen suggest that the engine in my truck is from a 77 or 78.(D7 heads, cover w/ dipstick, inner seal in T cover) If that is in fact the case can I still use the front side seal or do I have to use the one that goes in from the back of the timing cover? -
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 544
Likes: 7
From: Tulsa
Answered my own question once I removed the cover. Seal is shredded again. And I really think I’ve got the right seal. -no dowels for this cover either. Seal I’ve got is part#2682.... so should go in from the back.... guess I need an alignment tool of some kind?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
Installed the way it was the seal had NO lubrication and would shred in short order.
You need a seal with no Flange (One such as below) and installed from the back, with the tension spring facing the oil sump.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1837972&cc=1120790&jsn=541
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
OK, I’ve been looking at Fel-Pro seals and front gaskets for my truck and for prior years; I really feel like this is not the original engine. Everything I have seen suggest that the engine in my truck is from a 77 or 78.(D7 heads, cover w/ dipstick, inner seal in T cover)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 129
From: Atlantic Canada
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
Good catch. Yes that would be the timing cover from a car . The dip stick be in the block for the trucks and later Fox bodies and Panther Platform cars.
