Timing chain cover

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 19, 2003 | 11:49 PM

siphor84

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 254

Likes: 0

From: Colorado

Timing chain cover

Does anyone know if a timing chain cover from a 302 engine that is older than 1988 can be used on a 1988 302? I just had to trash mine because the bolts holding it down snapped off because they were rused in there. Thankfully I was able to get it and the bolts out without damaging the engine block, but the cover is trashed.

So, before I go to the junkyard and hope for the best (since the junkyards around here hardly ever have anything past '84) I just wanted to see if anybody knew the answer to my question... thanks.

Oct 20, 2003 | 12:34 AM

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 5,130

Likes: 8

From: Brea CA

I think you can go back to '79 but check out the smallblock forum.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/f...?s=&forumid=55

Barry

Oct 21, 2003 | 07:21 PM

serving_time

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 318

Likes: 0

From: North of Toronto, Ontario

Yes you can, however the older (pre 86) engines had a manual fuel pump that bolted to the cover. The space where the fuel pump was must be blocked off with a plate or something similar.

Oct 22, 2003 | 06:28 AM

71swissaqua

Elder User

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 602

Likes: 0

From: Huntersville

Might also need to block off the dipstick tube hole. Older ones were in the timing cover. Should'nt be a problem though. If you were around the block from me I got deveral laying around.
Clint

Oct 22, 2003 | 12:49 PM

siphor84

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 254

Likes: 0

From: Colorado

I did a little research on this...

There are six timing covers made for the 302/351 engines. Here is a link to a picture with all the different kinds:

http://www.stevensparts.com/images/FORD/RTCF302.JPG

The one on my engine was the "Reverse Rotation Water Pump" kind. To get that cover would run me $70 from the parts store and the junkyards I go to dont have one.

I also need a new water pump, so I was thinking I would just get the best cover from the junkyard, and then get a new water pump that matches that cover.

Is there a special reason why an engine would have a "Reverse Rotaion Water Pump"?

Oct 22, 2003 | 01:41 PM

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2000

Posts: 5,130

Likes: 8

From: Brea CA

The reverse rotation water pump used the serpentine belt system which started in '79. To change to the earlier type would require changing all the brackets and pulleys and the lower hose. Seems like a lot of work and by the time you're done it would have cost more anyway.

Barry