When I bought the new timing chain cover a few years ago, I was not abled to do the work until now.

The 22re engine is still on the engine stand with all the head bolts torque to the engine. I tried to put on the timing cover and all the bolts on the timing cover works perfectly except the top timing cover bolt that goes on inside the head. After so many tries to get that timing cover bolt to get on the head, I removed all the front timing cover bolts and put in the top timing cover bolt inside the head. After that, I noticed all the front timing cover bolts holes are slanted away from the engine. Is the new timing cover warped even though I never used it before? How is that possible? Do I need to loosen up the head bolts to have more play to work with? Will that work? Has anyone has this problem? If so, what is the solution? Any comments, feedback, advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks to all for reading this post.

 

If your engine block has been decked, the top edge of the new cover may be too tall.
Ordinarily, it is good practice to have the timing cover bolted to the block when machining the block deck so that the cover top will be flush.

It is always wise to torque that top bolt to it's tightness. before snugging down any of the front facing bolts.

There is no more sickening feeling than when you hear the subtle 'tick' of that top boss on the timing cover when it cracks.

 

Where did you get the new cover? When I did my '89 22RE, I did not get a genuine Toyota part. I don't remember the name on the box but it wasn't one of the major names. Every thing fit Ok except the two front pan fasteners, so I had to leave them out.

 

millball and JJ'89, thank you for your posts. I appreciated it.

The timing cover is not tall at all. Just the top hole on the timing cover that goes into the head is not lining up correctly. I bought the timing cover from ebay some years back. I did some research on this issue. I saw a similar problem by another post on this forum. Go see the post:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...ing-up-257124/

This is exactly the same problem I am having. Basically the timing bolt cover hole to the head is not lining up correct. When I looked down from the top of the inside head where the timing cover hole meets, I noticed a partial hole going through the timing cover from the head.

The solution is to expand the hole on the head using a drill bit just a little bit but enough space or opening for the top timing cover hole bolt to come through from the head to the top timing cover hole. Hopefully, once this works without any oil leaking. Has anyone out there have this issue and resolve it by using this approach, and if, so did the oil leak?


I will try this method and will report back on this post on my findings. Stay tune for an update on this issue. Thanks to all for reading.

 

Update:

Finally, I was abled to put the top bolt through the head into the timing chain cover. First, I zip tied the top chain spocket that goes inside the head to the chain, one on each side as shown in the picture of the post that has similar issue to mine. I loosen up all the eight head bolts and that gives me more room to work with. Put in a screwdriver between the head and engine block. The timing cover with four bolts tightened just a little to make sure the timing cover is in its correct fit. The top bolt tightened inside the head to the timing cover, wiggling a little bit with the head. It works! Now I removed the top bolt and the four timing cover bolts. Removed the timing cover and put in the gaskets. Repeat the process again putting the timing chain bolts and the top bolt on the timing cover. Removed the zip ties. Put in the chain spocket into the head in its proper place and checked all areas are in the correct overall fit. Tightened up the 8 head bolts in proper sequences. Thanks to all for posting and reading this thread.