I was wondering, when Haynes talks about removing the front cover is this the same as the timing cover? If not are there special tools required for removing the front cover?

 

nothing need to get it off other then basic hand tools and some torx bits

 

yes, front cover = timing cover.

inspect your front main seal while it's off.

edit: (Inbefore Karl) Repair sleeve your dampner while it's off too

 

thanks

 

You will also need a damper puller and installer tool. The later cars didn't use Torx headed bolts.

RBob.

 

Looking to solve a leak or investigating & changing timing chain?
Be careful of the cover.
It's aged & aluminum and "fragile".
Before ya open it "up" score yourself a replacement cover, just incase you do need one and also do check the balancer for wear.
The part mentioned is from Pioneer & also Fel PRo, balancer sleeve repair kit.
Works great & at $4 what a deal
Pep Boys sells it.
Simply tap over the balancer snout & ya "done".
Look to engine rebuilding places for the used cover & good balancer. East LA & Gardena has many places.
Open Recycler for "choice" of shops for those parts. Better selection than Yellow Pages!
Make sure OLD CHAIN IS at "DOT TO DOT" positioning, then remove old chain. Put new chain on immediately so not to "loose the right spot position".

 

You guys are great thanks. one last question, what do i use to turn the crank so i get TDC when im at the sprokets and chain. can you simply turn it with you hands to make the timing marks line up? Also, are the timing marks on the sprokets of the cam and crank?

 

This part is most fun & educational
Remove the #1 plug pass side front engine
STICK YOUR FINGER OVER OVER OVER the plug hole
have someone crank over the engine
You will feel your finger BLOWN off the plug hole
Guess what
Yep TDC!
Now go back and try again making SURE you stop engine cranking before TDC
Go check balancer & see the mark
NOW IF
NOW IF
the BALANCER IS IN GOOD SHAPE & NOT NOT SLIPPING (As they age, yep this part slips!), you should see marks right at "Zero" point area on the timing mark on cover.
You then IF YA WANNA a 17 MM socket & ratchet, but at this point it's all moot. Meaning you should be all ready anyway.
The gears have a DOT TO DOT
With new gears in hand you'll "see this"
With T chain cover removed, DOUBLE MAKE SURE THAT THE GEARS ALREADY ON CAR (AS IN OLD ONES) ARE DOT TO DOT
IF NOT, rotate engine by hand (the balancer bolt & 17mm socket work right now).
THEN REMOVE THE OLD GEARS &
IMMEDIATELY
Put the new gear set on engine. THIS WAY the engine proper postion is not "goofed up" cause IF ya move the engine rotation during any point of this period, I feel for ya....cause ya then need some other "divine guidance" to do the repositioning of engine. If ya reinstall the stuff & engine timing is off chances are it will not start & guess what, yep... start all over again!

Then "go forward to rebuild front of engine" & reseal the "stuff".