So i went to the junkyard, plenty of 3.4s (4th gen), a couple of weird efi 2.8s (had some weird pulley instead of a tensioner an the serpentine belt was thin and weird), a carbed 2.8, and a couple of 3.8s (4th gen 3800). Also some fieros but i really dont want to use those cuz they have no room in the engine bay. Which ones can i use?

 

The only difference in the timing covers is where they mate with the oil pan. Have a look at yours to find out what style you need. EDIT: I forgot there are also CW and CCW rotation covers for the water pump get one from a car that has a water pump which turns the same direction as yours (i.e. smooth pulley for CCW and ribbed pulley for CW). I think 87-88 Fieros are the only cars that have an 87+ CW timing cover though, so best to avoid them.

82-86:


87+:

 

Did you take a look at the s-10's? Hit up a hardware store if this looks like a dead-end. I think there's 3 different sorts of bolts required for the pump.

 

yup, no S10s Theres almost never any at the junkyard I go to. Its been a weird month though because i spotted 3 fieros (theres almost never any) and a few ls1s (almost always gone as soon as the car arrives.) So maybe ill get lucky and one will arrive soon.

 

Could i just also take the oil pan with me and swap out the one i currently have or would a different one not fit properly and/or not bolt up right?

 

What kind of timing cover do you need? The 87+ style should be much easier to find I would think.

 

Thats the thing, im not really sure what kind i need. I need one for my 89 Camaro 2.8 but I'm not sure which ones will fit. But I picked up a 3.4 cover off a 95 firebird so i ll find out soon if it works. I compared it to one on a 2.8 (the 2.8 which i accidently stripped the same torx bolt) and they looked identical. I wont know for sure if it will work until I try replacing it. I did take all the hex bolts off the 3.4 though so i wont have to deal with all the torx bolts ever again. Frankly after actually having taken the timing cover off of a car i feel like its actually the head thats leaking. But we'll see.

 

Sounds like the 3.4 cover should be fine

 

Good to know thanks for the help