New Timing Cover & Oil Pump End Clearance Problem

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by Double6skylark, May 3, 2020.

  1. Double6skylark

    Double6skylark Well-Known Member

    Hello everyone,

    I bought a new Rock Auto timing cover (ATP 103005) because the original was badly scored and some of the casting was quite corroded. I also got new oil pump gears (Melling K20I) The height of the new gears measure out at 0.874 which is 0.013 less than the height of the gasket surface of the new timing cover which measures out at 0.887. This is the first time for me doing this and I've read that the end clearance between the pump gears & gasket surface should be between .002 & .006. I understand that if the gears stick out above the gasket surface too much I'll need to shim it to achieve proper tolerance but the new gears sit below the gasket surface...
    (I'm also using new Melling gear thrust plate) Am I missing something or do I possibly have a improperly machined timing cover? Would realy appreciate any help or suggestions.
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Last edited: May 3, 2020
    Double6skylark likes this.
  3. Double6skylark

    Double6skylark Well-Known Member

    Hi @LARRY70GS ,

    Thank you for your response, I was fearing that was the case and now after reading the 2nd review you sent I just checked the gear pump shaft bore and it too is off center.
    Like the reviewer I bought this over a year ago so returning is not an option. Glad I had reservations on the quality of this cover...(that's what you get for trying to save some $)
    Time to go back to square one and order a new cover from TA Performance.
     
  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    It is good you measured. Maybe you dodged a bullet considering that second review. A copy and paste for anyone else contemplating buying this cover, maybe we can save others from making a costly (in more ways than one) mistake.

    [​IMG]
    EZAutoTom

    1.0 out of 5 stars MY COVER WAS NOT TO FACTORY SPECS.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I AM NOT PLEASED WITH THE ATP 103005 I RECEIVED.. MY CAR RAN FOR 90 MILES BEFORE I SHEARED THE ROLL PIN ON MY DISTRIBUTOR GEAR DRIVE COUPLING. I HAVE AN "OLD SCHOOL" FRIEND WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. HE FOUND THE OIL PUMP GEAR SHAFT BORE TO BE OFF CENTER, AND EITHER BORED TOO DEEP, OR THE SURFACE NOT MILLED DOWN TO FACTORY SPECS FOR THE PLANETARY SET, MAKING THE OIL PUMP DRIVE INEFFICIENT, BESIDES BEING OFF CENTER. FORTUNATELY MY FRIEND IS A MACHINIST AND CAN REWORK MY ORIGINAL COVER. IT TOOK TOO LONG TO FIND ALL THIS OUT, SO I AM PAST THE RETURN POLICY TIME LIMIT, AND NOW HAVE 14 LBS OF SCRAP ALUMINUM.

    Yes, sometimes cheaper is not better. Call TA

     
    Last edited: May 3, 2020
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  5. Double6skylark

    Double6skylark Well-Known Member

    Cheers Larry,

    This is my first time doing this so I hope this helps anyone else with no experience who's thinking about changing their timing cover & oil pump.
     
  6. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    There's a used original cover in the for sale section. Looks nice and clean, pump included. Might be your best ticket for $50.

    Fastest430 said:
    350 timing cover pretty nice condition it should clean up well $50 plus shipping

    If I didn't have 3 spares already I'd buy it.:)
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2020
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  7. alec296

    alec296 i need another buick

    Timing cover is junk, contact Steve at Caruso performance. He is rebuilding factory covers last I know.
     
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  8. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Mart, you wanna part with one of your spares??
     
  9. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Nope.
     
  10. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    That’s not very nice Mart:p:p;)
     
  11. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Sorry Mark, Two are for engines on stands, that only leaves one spare. :)
    Buy that $50 cover, it looks unmolested.
     
    Mark Demko likes this.
  12. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Yah know Mart I gave that half a thought awhile back, I think its the same cover I saw on Facebook GS owners, Then I thought "Why", last thing I need to do is start collecting Buick parts just because, LOL:eek::D:p
     
    Mart likes this.
  13. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    Every gearhead needs spare parts, engines, transmissions, tires, wheels, etc.

    It's a disease.....:D:D:D
     
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  14. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    HAHAHA, "Im gonna use that one day" I tell the wife ALL the time!
    Actually I did "use that one day" My daily '01 Safari van needed a muffler and tail pipe.
    "HAAA, I got two 17749 muffs from the GS, only need one so I gotta spare, AND I have two 2.5" aluminized tailpipes from the GS from years back, only need the right side, its a GM, so EVERYTHING is the same right? Maaan this is a direct fit! Its gonna work, tail pipe is a bit short and goes out the back instead of side exit, noooo biggie, better performance, some welding here and there, hell this thing is gonna gain 40 HP"
    Only difference between my van and GS is the van is AWD and 30 years WHOOPTI DOOO:p
     
    Mart likes this.
  15. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    and after this corny 19 virus is over we will forget how these China parts are nothing but junk and just keep buying them along with all the other junk they make us

    and all of our prescriptions come from there they are safe aren't they?

    I have a bunch of parts laying around carbs, trans, convertors, even a whole car with a 350
     
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  16. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    I still say someone should buy that factory cover. At least the gears won't be sitting .013 below the gasket surface.:rolleyes:
     
  17. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    I bet a Chevy guy has more Chinese parts in his Chevy than we have in our Buick’s being Chevy is more popular:D
     
    Fox's Den likes this.
  18. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    junk lol
     
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  19. MrSony

    MrSony Well-Known Member

    TA covers are chinese covers they "fix" and make right. Not made fresh in the US like their 455 covers. Granted once they're all together it's a nice product, but is that worth $450+to you? Find an original cover and do it up yourself, or have Underdog350 on here set you up. His reworked stock cover on my engine with .002 clearances on the bearings, proper pump clearance, and 10w30 gives me 65psi on the highway fully warmed up with the white pump spring and bosch 3423 filter, 75psi cold, 30 around town fully warmed up. 65psi city driving.
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2020
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  20. Double6skylark

    Double6skylark Well-Known Member

    Ugh I’m so frustrated right now!!!
    I just received my new timing cover from TA Performance #TA1530 and set the new gears in the pump cavity to check end clearance and it’s 0.0015.
    Trying to think this out rationally. Would you suggest I take the new cover to a machine shop to take a skim off the gasket surface?
     

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