On a 1985 E-350 460
I just replaced the water pump on this thing and 2 weeks later it sprung a bad coolant leak between the timing chain cover and the engine, so that sucks. Sure hope it's just the gasket under the cover, it's on passenger side. Well, I know most of what I got to do, and this thing is pretty clean the bolts all seem to come off ok, been in the desert most it's life.

It's a motor home and doing a extended camping trip in the northwoods. I plan to find a nice quiet spot and dig into it- that worked out ok with the water pump. Proplem is I won't have a ride to town if I need anything so got to plan it right, or put it back together broken to avoid a tow- a risk I got to take.

I got all the standard tools, but could use some tips. I think I will need to buy a pully puller, 2-arm or 3-arm and size, any thoughts? I guess the oil seal needs to be replaced when you take it off- the Chilton's says a special tool "makes this easier" to align some seal spring when you put it back on- is this required? Also supposed to pry down the front cover somehow to get things lined up- didn't follow that but don't sound too wierd.

I'll need a gasket set, the blue gasket sealer, supposed to cut the oil pan seal and splice in a piece.

I should check the timing chain tension it has only 60,000 miles, should it be tightened and how?

Also it has A/C got to take the radiator off so guess the freon will go, just let it vent I guess (it has the new type of freon so can get more).

Thanks for any ideas.

 

You don't use a 2 or 3 arm puller on the dampner you will end up pulling the outer ring off, It is set in rubber. You don't need any tool to put the cover on just be careful when lining it up. Front covers do erode around the water ports, something to look over good while scraping the gasket. There is no way to tighten a timing chain you have to replace them. No reason to let the refrigerant go, just wire the stuff up out of the way.