I replaced the timing chain set on 1964 / 330 engine. The front cover would not go on even after removing the front 4 bolts on each side of the oil pan. I cut the ears off the bottom seal and got the plate on with a huge amount of trouble and bolted the plate down loose

. But I see a seal bulge underneath. I take it this is not normal. Will this leak? Can I leave it? Or Should I loosen the cover bolts and pan bolts and tap this back in with a hammer?. Looks like the metal plate is distorted and not seating against the pan. Anyone else have this issue? How to solve it?

 

That seal is supposed to be inside the pan lip between the pan and cover. In its current position, it's not sealing anything. The only way to solve it is to take it apart and put the seal where it's supposed to go. You cannot drive it that way.

 

Are there any 2 piece or modified covers available for sale to make the job easier?

 

I agree ,the seal is going to leak as is.Ive had success trimming the ears off and using some silicone in the corners but you have to put a ton of downward pressure on it. I never loosen the oil pan because, for me it always opened another can of worms.I would pull the cover and check it for flatness if all is good,try angling the bottom in first and get the lower bolts started.It helps if you have a partner prying it downward while you start the bolts.good luck with it

 

Thanks! I tried to bolt trick mentioned in a earlier thread, It did not work. Oblong bolt will not fit in the round cover hole.

 

With the pan in place, they are a bitch to get in place. Joe has mentioned removing dowels to help get it in place. Loosening the pan bolts will also help. Good luck.

 

Check this thread.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...l-trick-99563/

 

The front four bolts wont help a thing. You need to loosen almost all of the bolts so the pan will actually move down some and then You will almost certainly have an oil pan gasket leak

 

Yes my first thought was to remove the dowels and drive the cover down with a rubber mallet. Used vice grips but the dowel pins are not coming out. Guess heat may break them loose? They are in very tight. Whats best to remove them?

 

You could try heat. Unfortunately, breaking a 50 year old pan seal will probably cause a leak, like Bill said. Imagine what cork that old will be like.

 

With a dowel pin extractor tool.

 

olds 330 front cover is on!
Got the cover on. Trimmed the ears off seal, then tucked the left side ear into the joint of the pan / block. Pushed it into place partway so left side gasket ear area seated fully into the pan.Then stuck the left side lower bolt in and snugged it up fingertight. The positioned the right side of the cover over bolt holes and got under car and used screwdriver and small pry bar wedged against the front sway bar to slowly lever the cover into place, while using a small screwdriver going from from the left unseated part of the seal left to right where it was not seated at all, and pushed the seal slowly into the pan a little at a time. After making about 6 left to right passes pushing on the seal, and gently putting preassure on the bottom of the front cover with a small pry bar that was on the front swaybar, it went together. I was on my back under the car when using the screwdriver and pry bar. Cant be done from above. It only took about 5 minutes total. Tightened right side bolts to get it on the dowel. Then left bolts. Then used black RTV The pan was not loose, all the pan bolts were factory tight.

 

It's all positioned correctly now, good job.