Timing Cover Removal

Is there any reason I should remove the water pump separately before removing the timing cover, or can I remove and install timing cover with water pump left on?

thanks

 

thanks - may not matter as I may not pull the timing cover just yet....forgot that also means pulling the harmonic balancer etc (at least I think it does)....I don't know if I am leaking oil from the front main crank seal (assume there is one), or from around the timing cover gasket, or only from the oil pump gasket against the timing cover (where I know I have a stripped blind hole. Starting to think its more than just the oil pump, but I think I can access it enough now to try drilling out and retapping in place....I guess if I screw it up, I can always pull it them and replace with the spare....There is a bit more to replacing than I initially thought, so will have to think about it a bit.

 

How hard is it to change a front main seal?

 

its behind the crank pulley/harmonic balancer - but I don't need to pull the timing cover? Maybe I can do both the front crank seal and re-tap the timing cover in place...

 

I don't know WTF I am doing....It is leaking oil out of the oil pump, but I also think its leaking from somewhere else more central on the engine - whereas the oil pump is over on the passenger side. Not sure if its leaking from around the timing cover gasket or from behind the crank dampener at the front crank seal....If I don't have to pull the timing cover, I would rather not....

 

So here is the FSM pic (fig D1-38)....the seal would be the combination of 18 & 19: Oil shedder and Crankshaft packing. I would guess 'packing' is like a rope seal? And I would guess when it was rebuilt something more like a neoprene seal was used in place?


I have been hesitating pulling the whole thing, but maybe I should just give in and do it....

 

Well, the radiator and grill are off (from the front frame horn repair), the oil and coolant are drained, the fan, alternator, coil, and oil pump is off - what is left? Looks like I have to pull the crank pulley and dampener (and the distributor of course), oil pan....for some reason I thought the dampener could be a PITA? maybe it comes right off?

 

Just pull it while your there - check the timing gear all at the same time. It's really not that hard, just intimidating. You read the instructions well enough - I just feel my way through it now since I don't remember the instructions and get the book out in the end anyhow...