twin cam front cover replacment

[3100 MPFI]

I just got my new 3.4 DOHC home, and cracked the front timing/front cover. I have a spare one. Can it be replaced without removing the heads or the cams?

[3100 MPFI]

pics of the damage

[SappySE107]

I think you can. I haven't done it but I don't know of anything bolting through the head or cam carrier that you don't get to from the timing chain cover already.

[3100 MPFI]

I talked to Lorenzo and he said I should be able to do it. I will just have to remove the cam sprockets (as well as the other timing components, and harmonic damper).

I didn't want to open the engine up, but I guess it could be worse. At least I KNOW it runs. Before we pulled it, we drove the car.

[3100 MPFI]

i am working on it now. I don't think I will even need to remove the cam gears.

It is pretty straightforward. The only issue I am having is with the lower cam sprocket removal. My uncle will bring me a tap set tomorrow, and I will do it then.

[d.o.h.c]

One question, HOW THE FUCK DID THAT HAPPEN???

[gpse3400]

I ment just remove the lower cam sprocket

[3100 MPFI]

I was lifting it out of the back of a van, but for clearance reasons, I could not use my engine leveler. The lift bracket that it was bolted too twisted, and snapped the cover.






and I am GLAD this happened. Check out this mess.

[3100 MPFI]

I got the front cover swapped out today. I didn't get pics of the new cover back on, but I will get pics of that tomorrow.

Here is the broken cover. Tomorrow, I think I will piss on it, then throw it in the garbage.



This is the new cover gasket. It is THICK instead of being just PAPER like the 3100 one. In this pic, I have it sitting on a 3100 front cover just to see if it can be used on a 3100. Looks okay to me.



and how thick it is



And here is the engine with the cover off.



This is a closeup of the timing chain and tensioner on the 3.4 DOHC. I think that when this is all over with, I will see if the tensioner can be added to a 3100. Seems like a good idea.



These are the holes I had to tap into the cam sprocket to use a puller to get it off.



I tapped 3 holes, then used a grinding wheel on my dremel to enlarge the slots of my puller so that I didn't have to buy a new puller.



That is all for now.

[1994KlrWhaleOlds]

Nice chunk of ALUMINUM...........Which isn't doing to badly in scrap value...

[3100 MPFI]

yeah. I think when this is all said and done, those 2 bad engines, I am going to keep some choice parts off of them, and then scrap the rest. I need to clear out some of my stock anyways.

I think tomorrow, I am going to start pulling the engine out.

[IsaacHayes]

Recycle aluminum for cash!

[3100 MPFI]

i just might do that.

[timg]

These are the holes I had to tap into the cam sprocket to use a puller to get it off.



I tapped 3 holes, then used a grinding wheel on my dremel to enlarge the slots of my puller so that I didn't have to buy a new puller.



That is all for now.

That's great. That looks exactly like the puller I have and that's exactly what I did to make it work!

Tim

[3100 MPFI]

I talked to Ben and that is what he recommened doing. I think that the next time I have to do this (please God, don't let me EVER have to do this again, but just in case.....) I will use a steering wheel puller that is only 2 bolts. I thought it would be harder to get out, but it was suprising.

It is held in with just enough force to make it so you can't remove it by hand or with simple tools.