So I am going to have to replace the timing cover on my 69 350, the gear pockets have worn out leaving me with fluctuating oil pressure. I have a pressure regulator and a booster plate so I am going to just replace the timing cover. My question is, I found that my local autozone has a 350 timing cover for 161.99 Pioneer/Timing Cover For your 1969 Buick Skylark 5.7L 4BL OHV 8cyl Part Number: 500231 <input id="enlargedImage" value="http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/pnr/500231/image/" type="hidden"> Price: $161.99 AVAILABILITY: <input value="true" disabled="disabled" name="/atg/commerce/order/purchase/CartModifierFormHandler.sendToStore" id="storeAvaRadioBtn" type="radio"><input value=" " name="_D:/atg/commerce/order/purchase/CartModifierFormHandler.sendToStore" type="hidden"> STORE PICK UP SPECIAL ORDER Visit your local store to special order. <input value="false" name="/atg/commerce/order/purchase/CartModifierFormHandler.sendToStore" type="radio"><input value=" " name="_D:/atg/commerce/order/purchase/CartModifierFormHandler.sendToStore" type="hidden"> SHIP TO HOME AVAILABLE Ships within 2 business days. <input value="" name="/atg/commerce/order/purchase/CartModifierFormHandler.addItemToOrder" type="hidden"><input value=" " name="_D:/atg/commerce/order/purchase/CartModifierFormHandler.addItemToOrder" type="hidden"> Features & Benefits Each timing cover is built to meet or exceed all OE specifications and is validated for fit, form, and function. Application specific design to ensure a perfect fit and correct operation for unsurpassed quality that you can trust. <table id="prodspecs" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col class="first-childtd"> <tbody><tr> <td style="width: 60%;">Part Number:</td> <td>500231</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Weight:</td> <td>5.2 lbs</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Warranty:</td> <td> 3 MO</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Description:</td> <td> Timing cover</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Engine Family:</td> <td> Buick</td> </tr> <tr> <td>OEM Number:</td> <td> 25515465</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Gasket/Seal Included:</td> <td> No </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> <td> </td></tr></tbody></table>So I ran the part number at summit and they have it for 102.95 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PIO-500231/ The thing is that the summit cover says it is for 75-81 buick 350's same part number as autozone Is there a difference in the timing cover for these years in 350's, or can I just feel safe ordering from summit because it will fit my application. Another question is, Can I reuse the booster plate and the gears? They must be longer gears if it had a booster correct? it should be okay? Or just buy stock ones and replace them? Thanks!
That looks to be the same cover that I bought from JC Whitney years ago, its a Pioneer/Silver Seal I believe. All 350 covers are the same, V-6 covers will work on the 350 also. The only difference between the V-6 covers and the V-8 covers were the early V-6's were 14 bolt pans, (like the 350's) and later V-6's were 20 bolt pans. The aftermarket timing covers have a "dual bolt pattern" lower flange on the cover so they can be used on either engine. So to answer your question, yes, that cover, as well as the one from Summit Racing will work too. Just be sure to check the oil passages for casting flash protruding into the oil passages.
Forgot to mention, the crank seal installs from the front on those covers, which is an added plus:TU:
Even better! One last thing, should i keep the pressure regulator and the bosster plate and longer gears? Or should i just buy stock replacements?
Either will work fine, just make sure you set the clearances properly. TA sells a kit that has different thickness gaskets to fine tune. I like the pressure regulator.
The gears are not longer when using a booster plate. The booster plate simply reroutes the oil a bit and provides a new wear surface for the gears. The HPHV pump uses longer gears with a spacer plate. That is not the same thing.
What I did, and would do, is use stock pump gears with the booster plate. Make sure your gear end clearance is .002 or darn close to it, you'll have to measure this, if you dont know how to do it, find someone who does and have them help you so you can learn also. Dont just throw the pump gears in and call it good.
yep , agree with mark - stock gears , plate , regulator and careful/common sense setup . and that info is pretty much per TA info also . and i have a spare new one if the summit deal isn't workin out for ya . just PM me if ya need anything . del
Your going to need a timing tab for that cover. The V6 covers have a plastic bolt on tab. The one on your 350 is cast into the cover.
new aftermarket , outer rubber seal type . gonna need a timing tab - i've got a spare of those also . also have a spare mellings gear kit and plate kit and an ok cover . no adjuster though . del
Sounds Great,ooohhhhh Now I understand the whole wearing of the pump, I might need a bit of help measuring the clearance, IDK if I measured it correctly in my post above. I do have the manual, I just want to be positive like you guys say. Sorry Havnt been able to update the post Ive been doing a developmental psychology paper on behavioral genetics and work and Black friday lastnight (I started at 10pm was out at 8 am today) but winter break is coming up and I am going to be able to spend time with the Buick! I believe rockauto also has it for 111.22 shipped Ill PM Deadmanscurve though sounds great
I assume that this rubber seal is a different part # than the regular rubber seal that is in the timing cover set (FelPro-TCS45930)? If so, does anybody have the number? Or is that the right one since it's for the later covers?o No:
Good question, I have a Fel Pro timing set in the garage with a spare seal, but dont know the part number of the seal currently in the cover, so I guess it doesnt do much goodo No:
I am on my way out the door but this should help... http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=197956 http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=198115
Got one of the spare seals, the letters and numbers are MTP 5112 1 This seal is all rubber. I've installed seals that look like axle seals for the crank seal before, they have the steel outer ring that slightly compresses when its installed. I prefer the axle type seal, but both seem to do the job tho.
Cheaper is not always the best. By reading this thread I do not believe that most of you know that TA Performance is machining our own V6-350 timing cover. Most all V6 350 timing covers all come from the same place. We purchase castings, then machine them in house. Buick had a .009" tolerance span on the oil pump gear housing according to there blue prints. So if you found a cover to the low side you would have about .005-.006 between the gear and the housing, oil pressure could be pretty good. If you end up with one to the high side you could end up with .014" or more. This is one big reason why these engine idle with low oil pressure. Remember when the cover gets hot that .014" grows even making things worse. At TA Performance we hold the our low side to .002" below Buick's low side giving you .003", we hold our high side to .001" below there low side giving you about .004". So now when your cover gets hot it still holds good oil pressure. We also open up inlet and outlet oil ports to help increase volume, this is all done on the CNC machine. No other cover on the market is finished like ours. TA1530 $189.95 not much more from a company that cares. Purchasing product from TA is an investment which allows us to be able to offer product such as this one. We all at TA appreciate everyone's support.
I would spend the additional for the TA cover and maybe have them set it up for you if your not sure how to do it. One of the most critical parts on our Buick engines. I was lucky enough to purchase a NOS cover for my BBB at a swap meet back in the mid 90's. Used TA's shim kit and booster plate, enlarged passages, radius everything and set end clearance to .0025. My idle oil pressure is between 35-40 psi hot in gear at 850 rpm with 10W40 oil. Proper set up is key.
