I'm replacing the timing cover on a 2003 4.2L. Is there a gasket between the oil pan and the cover or do you put a bead of RTV there? If you use a bead of RTV how do you keep it in place while you install the cover? If you slide the cover into place with the long studs screwed into the block it looks to me like you will smear the RTV off of the pan. So do you remove the studs before you install the cover? I've looked at all of the youtube videos regarding timing chain replacement and none of them show how to reinstall the cover.

 

It uses RTV. Make sure all oil is cleaned off. RTV doesn't seal against oil. I normally place the bead along the front edge of the oil pan and installing the timing cover pushes the RTV into place.

 

Thanks. I went ahead and removed the 4 studs so I could raise the cover up as I slid it over the crank snout.