Alright folks. I looked to make sure I wasn't asking something that had already been asked and I didn't see this but if so I apologize. I'm in the beginning stages of my 22re build and I'm starting to clean up my donor motors factory timing cover. It was pretty rank to say the least but sound with no timing chain wear. However, whoever took it off of the motor must have pryed it a little and there are a few small nicks in it. The nicks don't runcompletely accross the gasket surface nor are they super deep.

My question is this, if I use a straight piece of c-channel with 320 grit wrapped around it do you guys think it would be ok to touch up the gasket surface this way if not too much material was removed. My fear would be that I would cause the clearance for the oil pump gear to be too small and have premature wear but I'm just talking about a very small amount of clean up. It'd be cool if this would work and I'm sure that it would for a while but I'd like to not be tearing into this motor for a long time after its built. This build is getting pretty much new everything but I hate to spend $40 on a new timing cover if the factory one is salvagable. Thanks in advance for any input.

 

pic would help out a lot...

 

Smooth down the nicks with a fine bastard file, and then use RTV. So.. smear RTV on the timing cover, let it tack up, set the gasket on it in the proper position.. smear RTV on the other side of the gasket, let it tack up, and then install the cover. You won't leak. Mine doesn't, and I'm missing a bolt where a bolt head snapped off on the drivers side.