Anything i should know/be careful of when i dive into this little project? Just got my new truck home and its leaking like a sivv. Previous owner told me its the timing cover gasket and that that was one of the gaskets he didnt replace when doing the top end. Ive got a Chiltons and ambition, with minor mechanical skills.

Is there anything else i should check or do while ive got it stripped to that point?

 

Post a picture of the leak first. also if you cant see where its coming from, clean it all up and let it run till its visible. then post a picture. search for a link on the timing chain replacement, and read over it and look at the pictures. and if your going to take the cover off you might as well do the timing chain, water and oil pump with all new seals and gaskets. It has to be done sooner or later, and its cheap.

 

im 90% sure the gaskets not the problem... waiting to use my friends pit he dug in his garage to clean it all up and pinpoint the actual leak. looks like it might have something to do with the oil pan.

 

still haven't pinpointed exactly where the leak is coming from but its gotten to the point of having to put in a few quarts of oil everytime i drive it. I just dont have the time to work on it at the moment but its my only transportation. Ive been hearing that these bottom/front end leaks usually come from the oil pump and timing chain cover gaskets. If i do one i might as well do both is also what ive been hearing... being strapped for cash and just moving aren't helping out either.

anymore thoughts regarding these issues?

 

could be your front main seal, if the 22r and 20r front main seal is the same, i will ship you one for free. I have plenty of them for 22r.

by the way, where are you located ? maybe someone near you can help.

 

im in Northern California, up in Sonora. Where is the main seal located?

 

its under your crank pulley, and is part of the oil pump

 

Just did the front oil seal on my 1978 20R. The seal costs about $12.00 at autozone. You will need a chain wrench to hold the crank pully while you "break" the 19mm crank bolt. If you have access to a small two bolt gear puller you can get the crank off without removing the radiator. You will need 2 cap screws 8 x 1.25mm about 2 inches long. (you may have to chase the threads with a tap as they're usually full of junk). Once you get the pully off the seal should pop right off. (did on mine).
Good luck.