Hey there Gentlemen,

I just joined Third Gens about a week ago. The site is Awsome with lots of useful information. I have a 1989 RS Camaro with a 305 TBI. I was in the neighborhood of buying a cam to put into the car. I was really hoping someone out there can tell me if there is any way to do it without dropping the oil Pan to get the Timing Cover off. I have several books at home that all say I have to. Its been a couple years and I don't recall ever doing one this way. Any insight would be of great help.

Thanks

 

I've done 2 cam swaps on my 350 TPI and never dropped the oil pan.
On the first one, I took out the first couple bolts on the oil pan to give me a little bit of play. Then, once I had the timing cover off, I snipped-off the sharp "ears" on the seal groove. This allows it to go on & off easier.

Hope this helps!

 

Did you manage to do both succesfully without any oil Leaks? I have talked to some people I live by and they said they had done it, but getting the cover off for the First time can be Tricky. I will the first three bolts on either side and try Wiggling it out that way.

 

You don't have to completely drop the pan, but at least loosen the pan bolts - all of them. The pan gasket is a one-piece design (or at least was from the factory), so it will tighten back up without any issues.

 

You should be fine using the method described above, especially with the 1 pc. oil pan gasket. It's a real PITA to get them to seal back up when it's the old style, 4 pc. gasket on the older motors, but the 1 pc. gasket makes it way easier to do without ending up with oil leaks. Just make sure to use a small flathead screwdriver to carefully work the thick part of the seal out of the timing cover groove before trying to pull the cover off. Also, what formula novice suggested (trimming the sharp corners) really helps when putting it back on. If you have a bench grinder, it's a piece of cake to grind down those sharp edges a bit.

 

I will go ahead and try loosening all the pan bolts. I was working on it last night and I was finally to the point of doing it that way any way. When I only loosened the first three on both sides I have been unsuccesssful getting the cover off. I was afraid I would really mess up that front part of the one piece pan gasket. I can see now that i'm into it that if I could drop just an inch that would give me the proper clearance to get the cover off and not damage the front of the pan gasket. I can also see the tabs on either side that you guys are talking about grinding off. That would definitely in my opinion probably make the installation alot easier. Thanks for all of your guys in put its finally nice to find a site like this with multiple people working on similar vehicles and have learned little tricks on the way.

 

yeah, don't force it and don't trim metal. Take out what you can easily up front, then loosen the rest enough to give pan tilt. Add some rtv to that bottom timing cover seal too