Thank you Bigpig455 and Jim Wise for your insight on this! I've been gathering info on as much of the parts as I can that were used in the build so I have a better understanding on what to watch/look for in regards to replacing parts. Maybe I'll post a thread on the entire build and parts used that I know of and let you guys have at it and see what your opinions are and what could/should be improved?
I have a Proform cover, and it is a piece of junk! i bought the cover "loaded" and was told that all the clearances had been checked... After installing the cover I always had a problem with losing prime on start up. I removed the cover and checked oil pump clearances and found the idler gear shaft/pocket not parallel to the oilfilter adapter. I laid a straight edge across the pump and found .006" on idler gear side,and .012" on drive side. I bit the bullet and ordered a TA cover and will be sending the Proform back to China, via the scrap yard!
I'm still running my stock cover, no problems yet. Had to wire-brush my water pump bolts a bit last time I did a replacement, but still holding strong. I bought a cover off a board member some years back, and a new bolt set from another member, in case I have problems. I've heard too many horror stories about the Proform products to ever go near them. Scrap metal is the #2 USA export to China. The number 1 export? Recycled paper.
Whatever cover you use, it's only going to be as good as the person who set up the oil pump....I had help by a guy who built a tool to precisely measure not only endplay but all the pocket specs. On my Proform cover, they all were in spec and I'm satisfied with part. I suppose there could be production tolerance issues with these, I just didnt see it on mine.
If you’re a gambling person, get the Proform. If you’re not, get the real McCoy. Buy once, cry once comes to mind, but the TA cover is an outstanding piece and arguably is one of the most important components of a long-lasting build.
Hell.I actually bought 2, yes 2, TA covers. One was misplaced by a powder coater.It would have been nice to have that one back though..
Nice motor!! Well regardless if its a proform or TA on mine it's staying there until it gives me peoblems or I decide to do a rebuild " if it ain't broke don't fix it" Everything seems to be doing what it should.
Misplaced is a synonym for stolen, I imagine/hope you were reimbursed for the powder coated cover. I agree with TORQUED455 methodology, I would bet good money I don't have that I am on the lowend scale , financially, of the V8 members. That being said, it was a no brainer to spend the money on the TA cover for my build......Jim
All the research and development backed by years of experience went into the development of the TA timing cover. Not to mention the expense involved and the time it took to pay back the initial cost of the development. Then...a Chinese company makes a digital copy of it and starts selling it for less money! We should not be supporting this type of product! Never, not on my engines or in my shop will I use a knock-off of a US product.
I had to replace my cover last spring after finding out the timing chain had about a half inch if play on each side, causing the timing to go awry - even after putting a timing light on it. The TA cover was definitely a hit to the wallet but keeping in mind that oiling is the Achilles heel of these motors, I took some solace knowing that wouldn't be an issue going forward. When the old cover came off, I discovered that someone had been in the motor previously, as it was devoid of the nylon gear that normally accompanies the stock timing set. Either way, I'm happy that issue has been resolved and have good oil pressure both at startup and after it's warmed up.
Looks like the Proform cover can be converted to a TA cover with a letter and number stamp kit! If I paid all that cash for that cover I would like to see the letters TA cast on it somewhere, not just stamped on it, anyone can stamp a Proform cover and call it a TA cover. Just sayin, even if the letters were cast on the inside would be ok. How do we know if TA isn't buying the overseas covers now, machining them here and stamping them? They do sell the import 350 covers so........................ is that part of the deal? Didn't the older covers have TA cast on them? And weren't the heater hose nipples screw in, not cast on like the one in the pic has? Its been a while since I read my old TA catalog so correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like all those features were on the TA covers that are no longer there.
Derek, Click here, https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-69510/overview/make/buick Then click enlarge image, and move your mouse around the picture. Then compare that to the pictures of the TA cover. If you had them side by side, the difference is very obvious. Wish someone could post a side by side picture. I have bought 2 TA covers since they came out. The first one went on my engine shortly after I bought the car in 1999. That cover went with my engine when I sold it shortly after getting my current TSP engine installed. The second cover was dropped shipped from TA to TSP. I don't remember the TA cover having TA cast in, but that is a very good idea, surprised TA never did that, just like their intakes. I've never seen the hose nipples as screw in, but TA says they are "repairable". Not sure what that means.
