I'm not new to wrenching in general, but this is the first Buick I've ever tooled around with, 67 GS400. I was trying to remove the balancer bolt (to remove the balancer, of course), but I couldn't get the crank to stay still. Having no air gun at the house, I stuck a screwdriver through one of the holes on the balancer and let it rest on the timing cover... and put a hole in the cover about as big around as a pencil ou: . To compound the problem, one of the water pump bolts broke off and all attempts to remove it have proved fruitless. So to get to the point, can I weld this hole back up? Would JB Weld be a better alternative? I do have aluminum welding tools at my disposal, as well as a master welder at work who is willing to do the deed for next to nothing. The TA Performance timing cover is not a workable option, I am on a pretty strict budget, especially considering the amount of work the entire car needs. I have picked up a 455 out of a 75 Electra, would the timing cover be interchangable? Or were there enough significant changes in those years to render most everything on it different than the 400 motor? Sorry if it's a long post, but I wanted to go ahead and lay the cards on the table. Much appreciation for any help I receive. DS
You can use the 455 timing cover. Next time you go to remove the balancer screw, have an assistant use a flywheel/flexplate wrench and it will be much easier and less costly. Since you have the cover off, I would install a new oil pump kit and check the timing set.
