leaking chrome timing chain cover - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jklonowski · 04-20-2009, 11:42 PM

i just got a 383 built and had a chrome timing chain cover and it leaks. the guy didn't tell me that he had really bad luck out of the chrome covers. he also told me that the aluminum is the way to go but i don't have the money to buy one. he also told me that he could just take it off and put on on a painted one. any suggestions with the chrome cover could i put a bead of silicone around the bottom or just go with the painted one?

blaserman · 04-20-2009, 11:46 PM

I had the same problem with mine. I took a file and filed all around the seal area until it was flat, and also put a small bead of silcone around it, so far 7 years and no problems yet.

Art

oneday · 04-20-2009, 11:52 PM

Hey leaky!Sounds like maybe he used an overseas jobber type cover.They shouldn't leak (if installed right) because they're not under pressure.If you really want chrome,suggest you buy a good namebrand type and quality gasket and bring it to him.Watch out for crappy chrome!

retselgerg · 04-21-2009, 12:04 AM

id put the stocker on it, Ive seen to manyproblems with that, my friend bought a 150dollar aluminum that wouldnt seal one time

oneday · 04-21-2009, 12:21 AM

retselgerg....Nice truck!Looks just how my 72 will look once it's painted.Is that Bahama Blue?I've chosen Lightning Blue Metallic.It's only used on 2009 Mini Cooper by BMW.

gchemist · 04-21-2009, 02:00 AM

Use some form-a-gasket sealant on it. I use it on intake bolts. A little on the bolts and cover edge should make it stop leaking.

heavychevy79 · 04-21-2009, 02:27 AM

I had a leak there, so I tried every kind of sealant glue and spooge you could think of, and even changed the cover, which was a chrome one, to a factory one, and it still leaked, so I welded the timing cover to the oil pan. That stopped it.

babyJay · 04-21-2009, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavychevy79

I had a leak there, so I tried every kind of sealant glue and spooge you could think of, and even changed the cover, which was a chrome one, to a factory one, and it still leaked, so I welded the timing cover to the oil pan. That stopped it.

Now that's deep....

85Bowtie · 04-21-2009, 09:57 AM

Chrome is a PITA for leaks. I hate it for that reason. I have used chrome timing chain covers before and not had a problem, but water necks, transmission pans etc, leaky SOB's.

Try dulling the surface up a little like one of the other members said and tighten it in steps and in an even pattern.

smashingchuck · 04-21-2009, 10:04 AM

I always bead blast the mating surfaces when using chrome parts.

OrangeAnimal · 04-21-2009, 04:43 PM

I take the chrome off of the sealing surfaces with a 3M Roloc sanding disc. I have had lots of issues with chrome engine tins. I won't go back with chrome ever again. My next set of tins will be billet aluminum.

billnorman · 04-21-2009, 07:37 PM

If re-using any stamped cover make sure you don't have bolt hole areas that have sunk in by the previous bolts over a gasket. What I mean is, sometimes the bolts or screws pull the metal of the cover down into the gasket, and hold the cover off a new gasket. Pounding them flat helps them seal better.

asphaltburner · 04-21-2009, 10:46 PM

Yo!
Damn!
I re-used my '73 donor truck's timing cover for FRANKENTRUCK's 350 after minor straightening and cleaning and polishing it's sealing edge (and painting Chevy orange). I've had no leaks, but it's 1973 factory.
The only chrome oil pan I ever attempted to use on one of my projects would NEVER seal, so I bought a steel pan, and it sealed fine. Never used chrome covers again.
The die-cast aluminum valve covers I use on all my engines are expensive, but seal perfectly. I use painted steel for oil pans and timing covers. Proper torque on the fasteners is extremely important.
I'm suprised at the number of problems everyone has had!
And shocked at the "welded the timing cover to the oil pan" solution!!
Todd.

84 400 · 04-22-2009, 02:48 AM

I would just ditch it or get one from skipp white on ebay. Those ones seem to be good low cost units. I don't really get the whole chrome timing cover thing. It is covered by the water pump and all so It is not really gonna skit out much anyways. Plus it is really hard to detail in that area.

flamingbig10 · 04-22-2009, 03:01 AM

The only chrome engine part I had problems was a water neck I notice the under side had some deep scratches, so I replaced it with another chrome water neck with no problems yet, and I have chrome valve covers and a timing chain cover with a Chevy bowtie on it I guess that's why I have no problems with it

heavychevy79 · 04-22-2009, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asphaltburner

Yo!
And shocked at the "welded the timing cover to the oil pan" solution!!
Todd.

Then I guess you don't want to know how I fixed the bent wheel on my bicycle.

truckincurt · 04-22-2009, 10:42 AM

chrome holds heat so if it was mine i would run a stock cover with some silicone its not goin to hurt nothing

04-20-2009, 11:42 PM	#1
jklonowski Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: franklin kentucky Posts: 70	leaking chrome timing chain cover i just got a 383 built and had a chrome timing chain cover and it leaks. the guy didn't tell me that he had really bad luck out of the chrome covers. he also told me that the aluminum is the way to go but i don't have the money to buy one. he also told me that he could just take it off and put on on a painted one. any suggestions with the chrome cover could i put a bead of silicone around the bottom or just go with the painted one?

04-20-2009, 11:46 PM	#2
blaserman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: glen burnie md Posts: 447	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover I had the same problem with mine. I took a file and filed all around the seal area until it was flat, and also put a small bead of silcone around it, so far 7 years and no problems yet. Art __________________ This is my best friend

04-20-2009, 11:52 PM	#3
oneday Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Savona ,B.C. Posts: 40	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover Hey leaky!Sounds like maybe he used an overseas jobber type cover.They shouldn't leak (if installed right) because they're not under pressure.If you really want chrome,suggest you buy a good namebrand type and quality gasket and bring it to him.Watch out for crappy chrome!

04-21-2009, 12:04 AM	#4
retselgerg Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grundy Virginia Posts: 385	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover id put the stocker on it, Ive seen to manyproblems with that, my friend bought a 150dollar aluminum that wouldnt seal one time __________________ "OLE BLUE" Goodwrench 350, 5speed, Tilt, PS, PB, "some guys got into cars for money or girls but i got into cars because of the cars" -Jay Leno

04-21-2009, 12:21 AM	#5
oneday Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Savona ,B.C. Posts: 40	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover retselgerg....Nice truck!Looks just how my 72 will look once it's painted.Is that Bahama Blue?I've chosen Lightning Blue Metallic.It's only used on 2009 Mini Cooper by BMW.

04-21-2009, 02:00 AM	#6
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover Use some form-a-gasket sealant on it. I use it on intake bolts. A little on the bolts and cover edge should make it stop leaking. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

04-21-2009, 02:27 AM	#7
heavychevy79 Cheyenne Super Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 545	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover I had a leak there, so I tried every kind of sealant glue and spooge you could think of, and even changed the cover, which was a chrome one, to a factory one, and it still leaked, so I welded the timing cover to the oil pan. That stopped it.

04-21-2009, 09:57 AM	#9
85Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: TN Posts: 410	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover Chrome is a PITA for leaks. I hate it for that reason. I have used chrome timing chain covers before and not had a problem, but water necks, transmission pans etc, leaky SOB's. Try dulling the surface up a little like one of the other members said and tighten it in steps and in an even pattern. __________________ '69 Dodge Charger R/T 440, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '68 Plymouth Road Runner 383, 727, 3.23 Sure Grip '89 Dodge Diplomat ex cop car 408, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '77 Dodge Monaco ex cop car 440, 727, 2.71 '79 Dodge 'Lil Red Express pickup 360, 727, 3.55 Sure Grip '12 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, M6, 3.92 '85 Chevrolet C-10 SWB 2wd 305, TH350, 2.73 Last edited by 85Bowtie; 04-21-2009 at 09:58 AM.

04-21-2009, 10:04 AM	#10
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover I always bead blast the mating surfaces when using chrome parts. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

04-21-2009, 04:43 PM	#11
OrangeAnimal Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 702	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover I take the chrome off of the sealing surfaces with a 3M Roloc sanding disc. I have had lots of issues with chrome engine tins. I won't go back with chrome ever again. My next set of tins will be billet aluminum. __________________ 82 Chevy SWB "OrangeAnimal" Lot of Goodies! Sold 93 GMC 1500 "Angry Red" 383 TBI Powered Fun! 300hp/410ft.lbs. 09 Yaris wife's daily.

04-21-2009, 07:37 PM	#12
billnorman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: glen burnie md Posts: 174	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover If re-using any stamped cover make sure you don't have bolt hole areas that have sunk in by the previous bolts over a gasket. What I mean is, sometimes the bolts or screws pull the metal of the cover down into the gasket, and hold the cover off a new gasket. Pounding them flat helps them seal better.

04-21-2009, 10:46 PM	#13
asphaltburner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ault, Colorado Posts: 862	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover Yo! Damn! I re-used my '73 donor truck's timing cover for FRANKENTRUCK's 350 after minor straightening and cleaning and polishing it's sealing edge (and painting Chevy orange). I've had no leaks, but it's 1973 factory. The only chrome oil pan I ever attempted to use on one of my projects would NEVER seal, so I bought a steel pan, and it sealed fine. Never used chrome covers again. The die-cast aluminum valve covers I use on all my engines are expensive, but seal perfectly. I use painted steel for oil pans and timing covers. Proper torque on the fasteners is extremely important. I'm suprised at the number of problems everyone has had! And shocked at the "welded the timing cover to the oil pan" solution!! Todd. __________________ '78 3/4 ton 4x4 custom "Todd-built" FRANKENTRUCK! Last edited by asphaltburner; 04-21-2009 at 10:49 PM.

04-22-2009, 02:48 AM	#14
84 400 Sb 400 club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NH / MA Posts: 2,746	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover I would just ditch it or get one from skipp white on ebay. Those ones seem to be good low cost units. I don't really get the whole chrome timing cover thing. It is covered by the water pump and all so It is not really gonna skit out much anyways. Plus it is really hard to detail in that area. __________________ 1984 chevy c10, built 400sb,.(SOLD) 77 K10 Project / daily driver "The Grinch" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318363 1956 Willys Wagon (327 chevy) Project (Now Buick 225) 1980 Corvette L-48 4 speed 1992 Mustang GT built 5.0 5 speed 1985 C10 LWB Sold 1982 K10 SWB plow truck Parted out 1986 D30 M1028 fire brush truck Parted out

04-22-2009, 03:01 AM	#15
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover The only chrome engine part I had problems was a water neck I notice the under side had some deep scratches, so I replaced it with another chrome water neck with no problems yet, and I have chrome valve covers and a timing chain cover with a Chevy bowtie on it I guess that's why I have no problems with it __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326 Last edited by flamingbig10; 04-22-2009 at 03:02 AM.

04-22-2009, 10:42 AM	#17
truckincurt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lockport, NY Posts: 106	Re: leaking chrome timing chain cover chrome holds heat so if it was mine i would run a stock cover with some silicone its not goin to hurt nothing



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