Timing Cover Seal

[KVH]

I know it should be obvious, but I can't easily tell which side of my new oil seal for the front timing cover faces toward the engine. I'd say the same side as my old seal faced, except I wasn't thinking and didn't take note.

thx

 

[TR3driver]

The 'open' side of the seal goes towards the oil. So drive the flat, closed side into the cover first.

 

[KVH]

OK, I have to ask. Which side is open? I could make an argument for each side.

One side has more of a steel face than the other; and that side is opposite of the side with that tight spring wire winding around the outside circumference of the fitted rubber seal.

In fact, if I'm looking through the seal from the side with more steel, I'm looking at the inside surface of the beveled part of the rubber seal at the far end, and from that vantage point I can't see the spring wire since its on the far side behind the rubber seal.

If that makes sense.

Maybe I need to send a picture.

 

[BobbyD]

Are the seals similar to a TR6? Here's what mine look like.

Front Seal

Rear Seal

 

[PeterK]

A good rule of thumb is to always place the open side towards the fluid that you are sealing in. But the timing cover chain is pressed in from behind so it seem backwards to install it. Still, the open side must face to oil.

The original metal cased seal for the TR4 had a metal lip on the ourside face that would contact the inside of the timing cover. I've always thought this was to position it on the crank nose?

 

[Brosky]

Just make sure that you lube the seal AND the shaft when you install the cover.

 

[RonMacPherson]

The open side being the side where you can see the spring wrapped around the lip of the seal.

A good light grease filling the depression of the lip of the seal, full circumference and good hydraulic lube(power steering rebuild lube is what I use) on the shaft/axle, etc. is the way to go.