Parts in – tool to put the harmonic balancer and lower timing gear in place, new oil pump shaft with a metal collar, a fail-safe 195 deg. thermostat, a set of plugs and a quadrajet base gasket.
I’m out of engine assembly lube so I gave the chain and sprockets a good coat of chain lube. It’s sticky and will provide lubrication when the engine is first started.
The sprockets and chain all need to go on at the same time. I needed a spacer on the installation tool reach over the crank snout so the lower sprocket can be pushed on. I previously set the crank so the lower sprocket timing mark was at the top.
All in place with the timing marks lined up. There is very little slack in the chain now.
I’m using a light coat of red gasket maker on the inside of the cover gasket – the smear of sealer is more even than appears in the photo.
The gasket fits over two lower pins and I have added two more at the upper end to keep it in place while I get the cover ready.
Another coat of sealant on the pan. I installed a new crank seal earlier that came with the timing cover gasket kit.
All ready except for the harmonic balancer. I’ll install that after the new oil pump and pan are in place.
Next: Closing up the bottom end.