I am gonna replace my timing set this weekend and had a question about where the oil pan gasket meets the front cover gasket. Any of you ever had problems with this area leaking after a repair ?? I have bought an oil pan gasket also in case I tear it up getting the front cover off. The manual makes no mention of using any extra sealant at this junction. Just thought some of you might have been there and done this before.
Also if I have to remove my oil pan is there any thing I should look for or check while I have it off??
Can the rod bearings be changed from underneath with just the oil pan off??
Anything to check on the oil pickup??

Thanks

First off. I have replaced my oil pan. You can remove the oil pan without removing the timing cover. There was just this plastic thing covering the flywheel that hid two or four of the pan bolts. You won't need a replacement gasket, it is rubber, and I reused mine without leaks [after properly torquing it down, which is a VERY important step, it'll leak otherwise, and leak BAD]. I used some NON-HARDENING gasket maker on both sides of the gasket.. I found it may not help seal it, but it helps keep the gasket on the pan, because it isn't the easiest thing to keep on the pan while sliding it on. When you have the oil pan off, make sure that there isn't any rust on the pan, that the baffles are in tact and aren't falling off and that the oil pickup is securly attatched, the screen isn't damaged and that there isn't sludge all over it.

The rod bearings cannot be changed under the car.. it is much too tight to do it.. not to mention you have to pull the crank shaft to get both sides of the rod bearings, and it isn't going to be sanitary under there.. and I would suggest away from it.


-justin

jr's3800

So my current (216000 miles) rod bearings would be better off than new bearings without a journal polishing.
If the rod journals are in decent shape (and if not) wouldn't I be better off with new bearings or does a journal eat up new bearings faster than it would an old bearing?

Thanks