Pulled the Valve cover of my 4Runner off because my timing was about 35 degrees whacky (yes the distributor was off a tooth) and discovered that even though the engine was rebuilt 40k ago, whatever jack hole did it didn't even install the timing chain guide (along with apparently setting the timing by ear). Anyway.. I got it before any coolant started spilling into the oil, but there is one heck of a groove machined into my timing cover. Ideally I'd order a new one, but I'm only home every third weekend, so If mine is still feasible to run at all without needing to tear it back down within a few thousand miles, Its probably better I put it back together while I still remember where I took all of the bolts out of it from. I'm thinking that I should be fine until the guide breaks and the chain gets into the cover again.. Going to have to use an Oreilly's timing kit if I want it back going again this weekend, so probably plastic guides, but then again if the "rebuilder" screwed up this bad on the front end, It probably isnt worth real Yota parts anyway, so just to keep it running until I get around to building one myself for it or affording a 22RE Performance long block.

 

That is really strange I have never seen a Timing chain cover like that .

Looks that was either welded or epoxy to the cover if it was machined it would be through.

I would worry between the guides and chain something might rub.

I think most of us have been stuck one does what one has to at times.

 

Machined may have been wrong word. That is where the chain has worn the cover.. Its aluminum, and if someone welded it to make it thicker, they wee friggin talented. The guide goes in between the cover and the chain.

 

I have never seen a chain wear something that nice .

Most times when the guide is gone it is not as long or as nice looking and more in the upper left sitting in the drivers seat.

Other then getting the Aluminum clean not hard at all to weld for some of Us.

 

No do not use that timing cover!The chain has worn a deep groove in it and it needs to be replaced.I think any welding done to it would warp the cover and you would have sealing issues.Also the chain guide is probably in pieces in the oil pan so i would drop the pan and clean that out and take a look around while you're in there.Might consider upgrading to steel guide when putting it back together. Good luck and lots of great help on this forum if you need it.

 

Times 2

 

So dont use it even though the groove isn't all the way through.. Hopefully I can remember how it goes back together in a few weeks.. I put most of the bolts back where they came out of, but that only works for ones you can do that with. Gives me a chance to order some FIPG instead of using permatex too at least. No the guides are not in the oil pan unless the bolts to hold them on are in there too. Whomever put this thing together just omitted them somehow. Oilpan is coming off anyway to clean out any sludge and such and the general nastiness that has fallen in it from this job..

 

I would love to buy your old timing cover let me know How much you want??

If you want to sell it??

In fact figure what the new one will cost I will pay that much!!

 

Wyoming are looking to experiment?

 

if it hasnt gone thru to coolant passage it would work in a pinch. chains dont last real long without guides , thats wierd . i have seen covers really cheap new online . i used the doa chain guides even when stock ones
installed they get brittle and break .

 

I took the oriellys timing kit and water pump back and ordered all OEM stuff and FIPG so I could just do it right (well other than that pulling the head off BS while I'm in there. Just hopefully I can remember how to put the right parts on there right in 3 weeks. Wyoming, Will be until after another 3 weeks, but if you'll get me a relatively quick way to get a hold of you and could meet us in Orefield, or the Loves Truckstop in Shartlesville, I'll try to use said way of getting hold of you to let you know if we get a load that way and what time were coming through and you can have it.

 

PM sent!!

The fact if that was worn like that from the chain if it was.

Just goes to show these engines will run under all most any conditions.

This had to be so very noisy .

There is no way this engine could have run 40,000 miles without a timing chain guide it would have been noisy from the first start up.

Could be the so called rebuild was a new valve cover gasket Funny how rebuild can mean so many different things to people

 

wow..

 

Actually it was really quiet.. and I will repeat there wasn't even any drivers side guide bolts in it (or in the oil pan) Only thing in the oil pan was oil and coolant/stuff I had scraped off while pulling it apart. The bottom end of the engine looks ok, The spark plugs looked good.. I probably need to get a compression tester just for gits and shiggles. Oh well nothing much going on until April when I find out if I can remeber how it was.. I did spend a large part of yesterday bagging and tagging the bolts I had laid out so I had a better chance of remembering..

 

There is a thread here or on pirate I think that gives the bolt length and placement in the timing cover. I had used it once. Don't ask . Bags and pictures are great. Also for future reference I will take a cardboard box and draw what I'm taking parts off of and cut holes where the bolts come out of. Then place the bolt in that spot. If you can find a good picture of it you can tape that to the box and place your bolts in the precise location. Good luck keep us posted.

 

Something tells me wyoming9 has enough years of fixing cars that he has an awesome wall of shame

 

Yea I have a ATV wall of broken parts. So I think you might be right. Still never found my 2nd gear when I launched it through the back of my ATV case. That's one I want.