A few of you have probably read my "hunting idle" problem over the last few days. A few have replied and I appreciate the pearls of wisdom. I have decided to bite the bullet and replace a few things. I have had a minor water leak (about a quart every two to three weeks) from the intake manifold for as long as I've owned the car. Therefore I am pulling it to replace the gaskets. While doing that, I am going to replace the timing chain and sprockets, water pump, EGR valve and a few other odds and ends (plugs, cap, rotor, etc). I am getting this timing set:
1987-Up SB Chevrolet Single Roller Timing Chain Kit :: 12371043 - SDPC
and a good water pump with ball bearings. I'll replace the timing chain cover seal, and bushing for the balancer.

I assume that is a decent timing chain set. Any other recommendations are appreciated. The main question I have so far is about the oil pan. Do I have to loosen any bolts on the oil pan to do this? I have absolutely NO oil leaks anywhere and I'd like to keep it that way. Also, I have a puller for the balancer, but not sure what I am going to use to reinstall it. Any suggestions?

I've got all the other seals and o-rings for the top end already. Also got a new thermostat, throttle body gasket kit, idle air control valve and coolant temp sensor. If all this doesn't cure my surging idle, I guess I have a bad wire or computer!!

Thanks in advance for the assistance.

 

unless the roller block is different than flat tappet (guys?), then you'll need to remove all the bolts from your oil pan, and let it drop 1/2" or more, to remove the timing chain cover.

It should bolt back up and stay leak free if you're lucky. Might want to consider a 2 piece timing cover set for the future.

make sure you got a big tube of RTV! Maybe the kind you can use with a caulking gun, makes applying it a bit easier

 

The pan gasket should be a one-piece unit. Drop the pan down enough to release the front cover from it.

There is also a harmonic damper installation tool. It is basically a large threaded pipe with a stud which screws into the crank, with a large nut & washer to drive the damper onto the crank. Summit Harmonic Balancer Installation Tools: SUM-G1023 - summitracing.com

 

Thanks. I was hoping I could avoid breaking the seal on the oil pan. Guess I'll have to take my chances. I am not an advocate of reusing old gaskets and changing this gasket is pretty involved. The last one I did was a 3.1. I assume my 5.7 will be just as bad or worse.

I'll order the balancer install kit. Rather have the right tool to avoid disaster.