Timing Chain Cover

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by OZGS455, Dec 11, 2018.

  1. Schurkey

    Schurkey Silver Level contributor

    The Proform cover is cheap Chinese junk. A knock-off of the TA cover, so far as I can tell, except with all the quality removed. Fixing your original cover is probably the better plan--if the oil pump pocket is still usable.

    How thick is the timing cover gasket? Mill that thickness off, use two gaskets. Problem solved.

    Or fill the pits with a hard epoxy, file it flat, and just use one gasket.
     
    lemmy-67 likes this.
  2. OZGS455

    OZGS455 Oh what a wonderful day!

    Ill assess it once its off I guess,
    Probably clean up epoxy fill and smooth flat.
    A friend has TIG that may be even better, does the alloy take to being TIGged?
    My oil pressure is good now so better the devil I know, hey.
    Blowing $500 just prior to Xmas on a Buick wall hanging when Ive already got 2 much better ornaments. 20181210_163229.jpg
     
  3. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    They dont weld that great, it's almost impossible to clean it well enough. The aluminum absorbs the oil and coolant at the microscopic level and impurities during aluminum welding is no fun,..but I have had a few welded successfully
     
    ranger likes this.
  4. OZGS455

    OZGS455 Oh what a wonderful day!

    Ok thanks, looks like a job for JB Weld then.
    Sure Ive seen a thread elsewhere about the dramas and tricks of removing and replacing these covers,
    Can someone please point me in the right direction?
    This new place Ive moved into aint got much room but I think my Buicks like being together . 20181212_185050.jpg
     
  5. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    it will move the distributor back towards the block and cause improper mesh of the gear on the cam.

    good idea on the double gasket, not sure my grey matter would had come up with that one
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2018
  6. Bigpig455

    Bigpig455 Fastest of the slow....

    Not to go up against popular opinion, but the Proform cover is not junk. Yeah, we all like TA and what they do for the hobby, I dont like that the Chinese will rip off American engineering , but I've found the Proform covers to have as good or better quality as OEM. Before you throw it away, take a look at it and make up your own mind. Perhaps you guys can elaborate on exactly WHY it's junk and help OZGS455 know what exactly to look for and measure to make that determination himself.
     
  7. Stg'd 2Discover

    Stg'd 2Discover Lumpty, Lumpty, Lumpty

    I'm also using the Proform cover successfully. The tolerances I measured, in my own tool and die shop, were comparable to stock covers.
    x2 what Rhett said above
     
  8. lemmy-67

    lemmy-67 Platinum Level Contributor

    Most of what I've read about Proform covers has been negative. Wide tolerances and casting flaws were some of what was reported. If a NOS or good core is available, that'd be my first choice.

    I'm still using a stock cover, and have a complete reconditioned cover from a board member ready in case my stock one ever gives out on me.
     
  9. OZGS455

    OZGS455 Oh what a wonderful day!

    My Proform has arrived but I can send it back and only lose out on shipping and customs charges.
    Thats better than lunching my engine over oil pressure when I already have good pressure and its been tested under race conditions.
    Think Ill repair the coolant leak , better the devil I know...
     
    Mark Demko likes this.
  10. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Good choice!
    If your oil pressure is fine and your "in there" for a coolant leak, just fix the leak:D
     
  11. OZGS455

    OZGS455 Oh what a wonderful day!

    Yeah, just gotta weight up if its worth sending back as costs to date in Aust$
    Timing cover $357.06
    Shipping 46.70
    Customs 49.44
    Comes to 453.70
    Return shipping 78.00
    =531.70
    To get a refund 357.06
    So Im down 174.64 all up

    Chances of selling it local are slim.

    Thats what I get for rushing in before I have all the facts!

    Still waiting on the gasket set and dont wanna pull it down till I got gaskets .
     
  12. Bigpig455

    Bigpig455 Fastest of the slow....

    Stop. Think. Why is that cover bad? Because people that have never seen it say it is? Are the sealing surfaces poorly machined? Are the physical dimensions wrong? Is the casting porous? Are you unable to get proper end play as you mock up the oil pump?

    Maybe someone here who has been so vehemently opposed to the use of that cover can put up detailed pictures of exactly what you need to look for to determine that the part should not be used. And you can verify the issue has never been corrected in the many years this part has been in production.

    I love this forum, and the people on it have helped me out of many a jamb but even still you need to use your own observations as no one is there standing next to you.... trust, but verify.

    As far as testimonials go - this cover may be a design rip off, but it's a rip off of a very good design. I used on on my engine as the brand new NOS OEM cover I had was a HORRIBLE casting, and I compared the two the Proform cover was a better choice. I sought the advice of the forum to ensure I set the oil pump up carefully to specs, and test fit the installation. I used a booster plate and carefully dialed in TA gears to get the end clearance I needed. I used a pressure regulator to keep hi RPM pressure where I wanted it. That was 2 years and maybe 200 1/4 mile passes ago, and i have not had any issues since. No leaks, no distributor gear issues, no belt alignment issues, no cooling issues, no nothing. I shift at 5300-5500 RPM, and due to the gearing this car sees a lot of time at maybe 3500-4000 RPM on the highway so it's seeing severe duty frequently with good results. I hope you find that informative, too.
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2018
    Mark Demko and john.schaefer77 like this.
  13. OZGS455

    OZGS455 Oh what a wonderful day!

    The one thats on my car is working fine oil-wise, its just weeping green coolant into the vee shaped groove of the timing cover, below the dissy, drivers side.
    Not excessive but it will get worse in time.
    If taking it off cleaning it up and filling the pits Im bound to find on the mating surface of the cover where it joins the water jacket on the block.
     
  14. 1969RIVI

    1969RIVI Well-Known Member

    Like I stated in post #2,10 I have a proform unit on my engine and it is working fine. I did not set up the oil pump on the unit so I will be redoing it to see if that takes care of my low pressure issues. When it comes time to finish off my 70 455 build I will use it if I don't have the funds to buy a TA cover. I have a good used original with that has an excellent pump pocket that I'm saving as a spare. I would keep it anyways you already got it there and like others said check all the clearances and make sure it's good before you condemn it!
     
  15. OZGS455

    OZGS455 Oh what a wonderful day!

    Im not condemning it!!!
     
  16. 1969RIVI

    1969RIVI Well-Known Member

    Hey Oz I think you misunderstood me I never said you were condemning it. I think the common consensus across this board is that the ProForm units are junk which those opinions are coming from members who may have had one or may have not and are just making assumptions. I was just simply stating that I cannot say they are bad nor can I say that they are great but that I am currently using one . At the end of the day it's your car Your Parts your decision I wish you the best of luck with whatever you do!
     
  17. OZGS455

    OZGS455 Oh what a wonderful day!

    Why all the exclamation marks then
    Looking through receipts theres one for a
    Melling oil pump thrust plate.
     
  18. OZGS455

    OZGS455 Oh what a wonderful day!

    and an oil pump shim gasket kit (.001"-.0125"), also
    Oil pump replacement gear set
    Oil pickup tube gasket
    Dustributor, steel gear.
     
  19. 1969RIVI

    1969RIVI Well-Known Member

    You asked people's opinions and you were asking if you should send it back or not I was just saying that I have one and it is causing me no issues that I know of to try and help you with your decision. I'm not looking to argue with you. If you would like I will remove my comments from your thread
     
  20. OZGS455

    OZGS455 Oh what a wonderful day!

    Dont get all upset mate, I appreciate your comments its your ! and !! that I wonder about, ...
     

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