Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 23 Front End Service 511
Figure 23-26. Installing the front cover on an OHV engine. A—Apply sealer to the front cover gasket. B—If the oil pan is in place,
you may need to cut off the existing gasket flush with the front of the block. C—Place sealer at the joint between existing and new
oil pan gasket. (Fel-Pro)
Anaerobic sealer
Circle holes
as needed
RTV sealer
New seal
installed
Make sure cover
is not warped
Figure 23-27. On this cast aluminum front cover, anaerobic
sealer is used where two thick pieces mate. RTV or silicone
sealer is recommended where the flexible oil pan mates with
the front cover. (General Motors)
A B C
check that all holes in the gasket align with the correspond-
ing holes on the engine. Figure 23-26 shows the major
steps for installing a front cover on a cam-in-block engine.
1. Apply sealer to the front cover gasket. This holds the
gasket in place during assembly and helps keep it
from leaking during service.
2. When servicing a front cover with the engine in the
vehicle and the oil pan is in place, you must often cut
off the existing oil pan gasket flush with the front of
the block.
3. Cut a piece from a new oil pan gasket to replace the
piece you removed.
4. Place sealer at the joint between the existing and new
oil pan gaskets. This will help seal between the new
piece of gasket and the existing gasket.
Figure 23-27 shows how anaerobic and silicone
sealers are placed on an aluminum front cover. Anaerobic
sealer is used on the sealing surface between two thick or
solid pieces. RTV or silicone sealer is recommended where
a flexible part, such as the oil pan, mates with the front
cover. Use a small bead of sealer. Make sure you have a
continuous bead to prevent oil or coolant leakage. Circle
all holes that carry oil or coolant.
Installing the Front Cover
Before installing the front cover, check that all
fasteners under the cover are properly torqued. Check the
installation of the chain tensioner, if used. Double-check
timing mark alignment.
When installing the front cover, do not shift the gasket
or smear the sealer. If the oil pan is on the engine, you may
need to loosen the front oil pan bolts. Pry down on the pan
lightly so the front cover will fit into place. You may need
to use a seal centering tool that fits over the crankshaft
snout. It positions or centers the front cover seal correctly
around the crankshaft.
1. Check bolt lengths and locations.
2. Place a small amount of nonhardening sealer on any
bolt entering a coolant or oil passage. The service man-
ual will indicate which bolts require sealer, if in doubt.
3. Carefully fit the front cover and gasket onto the
engine, Figure 23-28. For in-vehicle service, make
sure the oil pan gasket is in place.
4. Install the front cover bolts.
5. Tighten the bolts to specifications in gradual steps
following a crisscross pattern.
6. If used, remove the seal alignment tool.
7. Double-check that all bolts are installed properly. It is
easy to miss a hidden hole under the lower section of
the front cover.
8. Install the front oil pan bolts, if needed.
9. Assemble all other external components, such as the
water pump, brackets, vibration damper, and so on.