3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

[Wakeboarder141]

I am looking for a replacement timing chain cover as mine rusted through. I have already removed the old one. Is there an equivalent cover I could buy from an auto parts store? If so, which engine/car would it be from? The marina wants $135 for the mercruiser one, which seems insane. Also, I have seen a lot of debate about reinstalling the harmonic balancer. Is there a tool I could just rent to do it right? Thanks.

 

[tommays]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

Its and industrial motor never used in a car so its out there somewere BUT i have never heard of anybody who found a non merc one <br /><br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/13/13A3R2.PDF <br /><br />Page 27 tells how <br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />tommays

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

Thanks for the info. Is that installation tool something I can rent? Any idea of a good place to find the cover for cheaper than my local marina?

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

You can use a harmonic balancer puller. Autozone lends them for free with a refundable deposit.

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

The puller will double as an installation tool? The puller I used to remove it didn't seem like it would work because it didn't look like you could thread anything into the end of the crank.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

the old 153 nova engine cover and possibly the 230 and 250 inline six covers should work. the timing tab may be in the wrong spot though. it would require some chasing of numbers. its best just to cough it up to merc.the 153 was used by AMC in mail jeeps until the late 70's. 820 jeep in Ft Worth used to have a pile of them.

 

[boathog]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

you can use a block of wood and a hammer to install it.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

when the crank snout is hammered what absorbs the lateral force of the hammer blow ?

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

I would like to avoid hammering it on as I have heard bad things about that.

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

So, even though it is basically just a Chevy motor there is no equivalent car that the cover would work out of? Is there some fundamental difference in timing covers in boats? Thanks for all the input.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

no, just the 3.0 was never used in vehicles for the US market. and merc has changed the timing tab location at least once. however the tab is purely a reference and can be placed anywhere.<br />I never tried the 153 or 250 CID cover on the 3.0 but I dont see why it would not work. I just order the correct stuff from merc and it fits correctly and works first time everytime.

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

I think I may have found a timing cover that will work from a 2.5L Camaro. When I go to reinstall the harmonic balancer, is using a puller going to allow me to not hammer on it? How exactly does the installation work with those? My manual shows a special part for installing it, but it looks like they are hammering on it. Thanks.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

like I say, when you hammer on the crank snout ,what absorbs the lateral force?<br /> in other words, what stops the crankshaft from trying to move aft with each blow?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

The 2.5L four banger from Chevy was never used in a Camaro of any year. Any Chevy that DID use the 2.5L engine will have a timing cover that fits. Any of the 1981 or later GM front drivers will work. Your local salvage yard should have a stack of those engines. As the others indicated, you may need to index the crank and mark the timing tab (or remove it and reposition as necessary).

 

[Buttanic]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

Many crankshafts snouts are not drilled to accept a damper installation tool and the only way to put it on is with a block of wood and a large hammer. It won't affect the thrust bearing.<br />Just make sure the crank snout and the hub bore is smooth and clean with a light film of oil.

 

[Wakeboarder141]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

Originally posted by rodbolt:<br /> like I say, when you hammer on the crank snout ,what absorbs the lateral force?

I have no idea. That is why I am asking for help.<br /><br />

Originally posted by Upinsmoke:<br /> The 2.5L four banger from Chevy was never used in a Camaro of any year.

The 2.5L 4cyl WAS used in Camaros from 1982-1986.<br /><br />

Originally posted by Buttanic:<br /> Many crankshafts snouts are not drilled to accept a damper installation tool and the only way to put it on is with a block of wood and a large hammer.

I believe mine is one that is not drilled so that may be my only option.<br /><br />

Originally posted by Upinsmoke:<br />As the others indicated, you may need to index the crank and mark the timing tab (or remove it and reposition as necessary).

What do you mean by "index the crank"? Thanks.

 

[tommays]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

i have read rodbolts methoid <br /><br />He pulls the motor and rests it on the flywheel so it can be pressed on without dammage <br /><br />If you do it everyday its pretty fast and you have to find a way to support the motor anyway <br /><br /> you need to pull the drive to check the aliment to be sure its still good <br /><br />to index a non-stock cover you would have to get the motor on TDC on cylinder 1 and make a NEW timeing mark<br /><br />tommays

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 3.0L Timing chain cover from parts store?

the crank thrust bearing is a one piece sleeve bearing for not only the crankshaft main bearing journal but that journal width is carefully machined and flange, the normal lateral thrust loads(foe and aft) are controled by the flange to flange oil clearence. normally someting less than .007". when you whack the balancer ,and sometimes its the only way, the crank,if not supported from behind, transmits the force of the blow, remember newtons law here, to the soft babbited bearing and can and sometimes does increase the crank endplay.<br /> I have witnessed it.<br />its a fairly tight fit but DO NOT oil it or odds are it will leak. if you do oil it then carefuly clean the oil off and run a bead of silicone areound the ID of the balancer and the crank snout.<br /> you have to be careful tossing out just 2.5L as GM manufactred not only the 153 CID they made a 151 CID. the 151 was used in the late 70's mid 80's and other than being manufactured by GM shares no common components with the 153 and later 3.0. the 153 was used in the marine application.<br /> the 151 never made it.<br /> I have not found a suitable method to insure a leak free joint without removing the oil pan so usually the engine is out anyway.<br /> I know somefolkws try to cut the seal ends and pooker it up with silly cone but it normally starts dripping a bit. so now they have paid mee 500 buxs and have an oil leak that they can see on that clean fiberglass deck. ya think they are gonna call me? who pays for the second try ?<br /> thats why I perform the steps in accordance with the manual and with factory approved parts and accessories and lo and behold it works right the first time everytime.