Ok I have been poking around on this site, google videos, youtube and county library online auto manuals in order to get handle on fixing oil leak.
First I replaced valve cover gasket and push rod plate gasket. Then I decreased engine and drove truck. Oil is coming from front of engine, behind water pump / timing cover. So from what I have read its time to replace crank shaft seal.
I pulled rad and water pump.

This is where we get into auto repairs I have never done before. Tomorrow I will rent a harmonic balancer (AKA damper) puller. Then this will enable me to remove timing cover.
Questions:
1. do I need to secure any special tools to pull crank shaft seal?
2. It appears that a gasket on front part of oil pan will need to be installed, is this so?
3. If this is so do I need to replace entire oil pan gasket?
4. Does the timing cover have a seal?
5. Should I replace timing chain?
6. If so, all instructions regarding timing chains helpful.
7. do i need to mark position of harmonic balance r before i pull?
8. I'm planning on replacing water pump. Waste of money?

Front cover alignment tool?
front cover seal remover?

 

1. I don't think so.

2. I think I read somewhere that the oil pan gasket came right up under the timing cover. If you want to replace the oil pan gasket while you've got the cover off, I can't say it'd be a bad idea, but I don't think it'll hurt anything to leave it like it is if it isn't leaking.

3. If I recall correctly, the oil pan gasket on pre-efi motors is a 2-piece gasket. 87 as I understand it was the first year for TBI on these motors, so I'm not sure if you have a two piece gasket or not.

4. Yes, the timing cover has a gasket.

5. These motors don't use timing chains. Factory 300-6 motors use a set of fiberous timing gears. Order a set of metal Cloyes timing gears for longevity, as the only issues that can happen with these motors in particular are over-revving or the timing gears wearing out. Because the Cloyes gears are metal, they will make a little noise though.

6. Again, no timing chains. The 7 main crankshaft bearings and the timing gears are what make the bottom ends on these motors so stout. They're made like rocks, really.

7. I don't think you have to do that, really. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I think it only goes on one way.

8. If you want to replace the water pump, you can. Putting new parts in can't hurt unless the new parts are defective. The only downside would be that your taking a perfectly fine part off to replace with another perfectly fine part, which is fixing something that isn't broke. On the other hand, while you've got this all off the front of the motor, now would be a good time to check and see if the fan clutch is good. If not, replace that.

Like I said, if I'm wrong on any of these points, someone will come along and correct me. What your doing though is pretty straight forward and easy.



Since your working on your motor a lot, I'd also recommend a Chilton's repair manual for your year truck. Available at auto parts places.

 

How do you check fan clutch?

 

"I'd also recommend a Chilton's repair manual for your year truck. Available at auto parts places."

X2

 

To check the fan clutch, the motor has to be running and put together.

With the motor off and cold, grab the fan and see if it's easy to rotate. Then, crank the motor up and let it warm up to operating temperature (180 to 200*). Turn it off, then grab the fan and try to turn it. The fan should be somewhat stiff and hard to turn. If it is, the fan clutch is working fine. If it's easy to turn, it's time to replace it.

Generally, going down the road or highway, you should be driving along then hear this whooshing noise under the hood of your truck that sounds like a biplane. That's the fan clutch engaging and working proper.

 

Harmonic balance is off. Timing cover is off. I now see how timing cover and oil pan meet up. I also see timing gears and yes you were 100% right, no chain. The gears appear to be metal, maybe they were already replaced. Anyway they don't appear broken, leave them be? What do u think?
Auto parts guy said according to their computer I need a harmonic balance installation tool. They loan their tools free so don't think he's bs ing me. But I would think I could just tighten bolt and that would do job of reinstalling. What do u think?

 

If the timing gears look fine, then you could probably leave them be.

I'd turn the motor over and check each tooth in both gears though to see if there were cracks of any kind. Also, check for cranks where they sit on the cam and crank, and that they don't have any slop to them.

I was honestly under the impression that the harmonic balancer just bolted on also. Like you said, if you need the tool, they loan 'em for free. Only one way to find out.

Nah, jk. But check this:

Harmonic Balancer Installer Tool Instructions - How to ToolCast from BoxWrench - YouTube

^^^ This Video seems to have the answers. ^^^

Rent the tool.

 

IMPORTANT! Dis regard part about reinstalling harmonic balance with bolt / washer that secures balance. YOU MUST USE THE HARMONIC BALANCE TOOL SEEM IN last video.
If you see any info you feel is wrong please share. Point of this site is to share knowledge and solve problems I would like to thank everyone that has helped me. bigb609



022.MOV - YouTube

 

Glad we at FTE could be of help. If you have anything else you want to/need to ask just let us know.

Cool video, I must say.

 

A follow up note. If you pulled a spark plug in order to keep engine from spinning and aid in repair process, don't forget to put it back in engine. I forgot and for about an hour I thought I had done some major damage. Once I realize my mistake I was golden.