I have been posting about my Weber upgrade and smog. Which ended up with now a Timing chain replacement.
So now my question is since this engine has 270,000 miles should I replace the timing cover? I know that sometimes a bad water pump can eat the cover. My water pump bearing is shot but so far the cover looks ok. Are there any other specific areas on the cover that I need to really examine closely? One of my larger long cover bolts had a lot of rust corrosion started. I think it will clean up ok. Too me that tells me there was a coolant leak around that bolt.
Opinions appreciated.
Thanks
Mike

 

Usually the place where the timing covers fail is if the timing chain eats its way through the timing chain guide and keeps eating its way through the cover near the water pump. That is where coolant can enter the cover and mix with the oil. I would only worry about that if you see groves cut into the cover from a timing chain. Check the cover for cracks and excessive corrosion.

If the engine was rebuilt in the past and the engine block head gasket surface was machined, a new cover might be a bit too tall as usually the timing cover is machined with the block to give an even surface across both parts.

Feel free to post pictures if you are unsure.