Timing Chain Cover is stuck?

[TR4]

I have everything off and the timing chain cover on my 4 is stuck. Maybe some serious adheasive was used the last time it was off. Is there a solvent to help remove it? I tried pounding a paint scraper between the cover and the block but don't have all the clearance I need. I might take the water pump off for better access.

Also, there is no sound deadener material on my cover. What should I do about that? I do get more engine noise than I would like and this is supposed to help quiet it some. The main reason I am removing the cover is to replace the chain and tensioner so that alone might make things quiet down.

Advice is always appreciated.

 

[DougF]

I would try a thin bladed putty knife to loosen the cover from the gasket material. It might be binding up around the locating pin, so start in that area and work around the circumference. They can also hang up on the tensioner when removing.
I never replaced the sound deadener on mine, but it has about the same consistancy as some of the stick epoxies on the market.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Neither of mine have the sound deadener and, I think, never did.

I rather like the engine noises (if they're the right sort of noises).

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

You didn't forget to remove the nut on the pedestal under the timing mark did you?

 

[TR4]

I have all the nuts and bolts removed, even the one below the timing mark (that's the nut I dropped and is missing). When I try to pry a putty knife between the block and cover, that cover appears to be glued on. It takes a blow with the hammer to move the putty knife only a little at a time. Any other advice?

 

[Don Elliott]

Keep at it. You'll get it off sooner or later. Probably later.

I scraped off the sound deadener when I did my restoration from 1987 to 1990. I never noticed that it made any difference. I have driven 98,000 miles since then.

 

[TR4]

For inquiring minds who want to know, after 2 hours of trying to pry a putty knife between the cover and the block I finally was able to send a second putty knife down in beside the fist one and that pesky cover popped with no apparent damage. At least the cover sits nice and flat on a clean surface. Now for the clean up. That looks like that might take another couple hours before reassembly. At least the timing chain, seal and tensioner were a snap to change. OK, lunch is over, I've got to get back to work.

Thanks for your continued support......Cheers

 

[TR4]

Well, the clean up took longer than expected but we do like to paint all the brackets that come off when we do a job like this and I also painted the timing cover so after 6 hours of buttoning it all up, the 4 fired right up and is purring like a kitten. Not having a great deal of auto mechanic ability and taking care of this job, I just had to share my excitement. Come on warm weather........