timing cover?

[Mr_Efficiency]

I'm in the middle of tearing down my 2.8 to start getting it ready for the 3400 top end.

Everything i read says I have to use a 3X00 timing cover and accesories, but why? the 2.8 timing cover dosent get in the way at all from what i can see and all the 2.8 accesories would work fine wouldnt they?

I just see no reason why i have to swap to a 3X00 timing cover. is there one or is is just something people do so they get the newer power steering pump, alternator etc...

thanks

[3100 MPFI]

I think it is the power steering pump. The mounting area is different. You can bolt them up the same, but I think the 3x00 one is thinner. I don't know about using the older pump, but I think if you use the newer pump, the power steering resevoir will hit the intake manifold.

FYI, if you do use the newer timing cover, you need to get the power steering bolts. They are different. I tried using the stock 2.8 bolts in my swap, and ended up breaking one of the mounting bosses on the power steering pump. The ends of the 3x00 power steering bolts are tapered/smooth wheras the 2.8 ones were threaded all the way to the end. When I went to tighten the 2.8 bolts down, one of the bosses snapped off.

[Mr_Efficiency]

ok thanks.... I keep hearing i cant use my 2.8 power steering pump with the 3X00 cover cause its thinner, but nobody has ever said anything about a 2.8 cover and 2.8 ps pump together.

I'll bolt it all up tonight if i have time just as a quick mock up to see if it hits, it probly does cause everyone keeps swaping to 3X00 stuff, but i want to try to be sure.

[3100 MPFI]

Just so you know, I did use a 2.8 power steering pump with the 3x00 timing cover. You just have to swap out the RESEVOIR. I think that was the only read difference.

I don't know what the difference is between the 2.8 and the 3100 pump, but I have never had a problem. I did end up replacing it when mine finally went out (it was over 15 years old anyways). To be honest, I can't remember which pump I used. That by itself should tell you something about the interchange.

[Mr_Efficiency]

Yeah i put my motor together and the power steering pump hits the intake. I was looking at the thickness diffrence tho between the 2.8 and 3X00 cover and I can probly get away with running the 2.8 pump with the 3X00 cover like you said above.

Now if i can just get my 2.8 alternator to work out I'm good to go.

I thought for sure i was going to have to go buy all the 3X00 accesories and brackets on the pulley side, but it looks like this is going to work out afterall.

know of any issues with the 2.8 alternator and bracket?