MDv6man

Well guys, another weekend is upon us and its time to pull the 83 into the garage for another round of repairs. This weekend the trans will receive a new dipstick grommet in hopes that the leak will be stopped. I will also be installing a new thermostat. On Thursday, I re-sealed the Fuel pump and trans pan. However, The front of the motor is still getting coated in oil. I am figuring it is the seal on the timing cover. The valve cover and timing cover showed no signs of leaking and the oil pan gasket, pressure switch and Distributor O ring have all been replaced since April

My question is -- Can I change that seal without removing the timing cover?

I really don't want to break the timing cover to block seal or the timing cover to oil pan seal.

TomP

Yeah, you can change that seal. I'm not 100% positive, but I think you pry it out with a screwdriver, then use a special tool to tap a new one in. You'll need a balancer puller to remove the balancer. It's a good time to check that the rubber isolation ring on the balancer isn't trying to "escape" the balancer. Also, before you install the balancer again, make sure there's no groove cut into the balancer flange- this will cause a leak past your new seal. You can buy a balancer sleeve to fix this... it's a verrrry thin piece of metal and some special glue. You put the glue on the sleeve, and tap the sleeve over the balancer flange (tap it square on, don't **** the sleeve sideways!) to cover up the groove. Use some engine assembly lube, or I guess you could use oil, on the part of the seal that will contact the balancer flange.

Also, do NOT use the center bolt of the crank to install the balancer!!! I tried this, and snapped the center crank bolt off in the crank snout, which left me with nothing to hold the balancer on. My mechanic saved me by arc welding the balancer to the crank. It's been 3 years and still holding!

MDv6man

Thanks Tom.. BTW, Do you know who sells the repair sleeve for our harmonic Balancers? I usually shop at Auto Zone and they don't stock it