I figure FI would have more experience then tech to anwser ???? My friend was told he needs to align timing cover when putting back together, is this true or do the bolts take care of that. 2000 C5 LS 1.

 

True fact.
The alignment is based on the crank seal. I made a custom tool from an old balancer that slides on the crank and centers the cover. Bolt it down then the rear cover with the Kent Moore centering fixture, then the oil pan. That way there's no stress on the seals and therefore no premature failures resulting in oil leaks.

BTW, you can install your balancer and then set the bolts in the timing cover.

 

Don't have tool will try this way. Does the balancer go no all the way lock it down than tighen timong bolts down???

 

I agree. I bought the Kent Moore tool, but it wouldn't work with my aftermarket crank. I ended up loosely installing the cover and then installed the balancer to center up the cover before tightening the cover bolts. You have to move somewhat quickly because of the RTV setting up in the corners of the oil pan/timing cover area.

 

Ok thanks will do.

 

All the way down. It's also important to know that the oil pan should be loose enough to where it doesn't interfere with the position of the front and rear covers. The oil pan should be the last item to go on.

 

Just make sure the front or rear cover doesn't hang down too much or you can crack your oil pan when you tighten it down. I found out the hard way once

 

Thanx guys will be starting to assemble in morning.

 

Pretty much just gets centered by the seal, and make sure it's flush across the bottom.

 

OK here we go starting to assemble.

 

I just use a striaght edge on the front and rear covers. Nice and flush to the block where the oil pan gasket sets. Have not had a problem to date.

 

I use the harmonic balancer to center the seal and then tighten down the bolts. Haven't had a problem with this method yet and I've done it this way about 5 times already.

 

If anybody cares heres an update on the new front crank seal.Well; to start off; cheap a$$ only bought new front seal thats it. He was told he could reuse old gaskets since they are rubber and alum and not the paper kind????????? After Will after ranting to him for an hour i gave in and started to work. After i was done i told him if it leaks i was going to charge him 1000 bucks to redo the whole think to teach him a lesson for being so cheap. After 300miles and many cold hot cycles not one drop of oil or antifreeze from the water pump or crank seal and timing cover all is good. I would not do this to my car, use old gaskets,with RTV black sealent, so far it seams to be working. Just want to thank all of you guys for the advice aligning timing cover, just leaving bolts loose on timing cover and putting on new damper so it centers cover seams to be working so far with out aliging tool(there was no way he was going to cough up 400 bucks for that).If it starts leaking I'll let everyone know, but old gasket RTV and centering advice so far is all good. Have a good day and keep adding HP.

 

I've reused gaskets in many circumstances with no ill effects.

 

Good to know. I could put that money to more HP.