I'm doing my timing chain. I'm a little concerned with how the timing cover looks. I'm not sure if it's 20 years of heat cycles, me banging on it, or both, or completely fine, but I don't like the look of it. It's got sortof an eggshell effect, and I can't tell if they are cracks or tiny ridges. I'm kinda new at this and I can't tell if this is fine or if it's going to start spewing oil after a few heat cycles.

Here:


https://i.imgur.com/QpulZ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/I4dib.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8o6gG.jpg

This is my daily driver so I want to get it back on the road ASAP.

 

My original one looked the same way and never leaked. Ended up putting a new one on when the "hidden bolt" threaded portion of the cover broke off.

 

Just looks like casting flaws from the factory. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

i would be more worried about grooves being worn in it from the chain hitting it

 

Nope, nothing wrong with that cover. What you are looking at is not cracks but rather casting flashes. Purely normal and I would reuse that cover again myself. Just make sure the timing chain did not rub through the cover and your good to go.

James

 

Reuse the cover its fine.

Its the timing chain eating through the cover that is the issue, and yours is fine.