Dissapointment

**Tony71502** · 08-31-2009, 06:30 PM

So after getting everything together and ready to go I was filling up the coolant and the engine starts pissing coolant from between the water pump and the timing cover. Ehh shit it's probably just the used water pump I put on there or me using silicone to seal the pump/backing plate.

Well after buying a new pump and putting it on... it's leaking between the pump and cover AGAIN. Only this time from both sides that have the coolant inlet to the timing cover.

Can rusted bolt holes in the timing cover cause this? One of the bolts was pretty shitty and snapped going back in (on the new pump, and probably why it leaked on both inlets to the timing cover instead of the one). Then after it started leaking I tightened some bolts down only to snap another one. Well it's getting a new timing cover for sure. But will this stop the leaks?

**90TitaniumStang** · 09-01-2009, 08:16 AM

down behind the water pump and timing cover on either side you need take the water pump off and put either a plug or silicone in two holes in the bottom of the valley on either side directly below the heads.
some wp gaskets cover this hole most of the new ones dont i just fill them with silicone(right stuff)
my cell is 724 858 6031
i can explain it better its hard to type everything and understand it

**mlowry1260** · 09-01-2009, 08:51 AM

Are you sure you're using the correct gasket and backing plate? Been there & done that...

Where are you located?

**Tony71502** · 09-01-2009, 08:53 AM

Bethel Park. I used both gaskets on the pump and a ton of silicone. Still leaking. I need a new timing chain cover first.

Anyone have one?

**mlowry1260** · 09-01-2009, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Tony71502

Bethel Park. I used both gaskets on the pump and a ton of silicone. Still leaking. I need a new timing chain cover first.

Anyone have one?

I have one. contact me at mlowry1260@yahoo.com

**90TitaniumStang** · 09-01-2009, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by Tony71502

Bethel Park. I used both gaskets on the pump and a ton of silicone. Still leaking. I need a new timing chain cover first.

Anyone have one?

i got a bunch pm me or call my cell

**wick** · 09-01-2009, 01:22 PM

I have a few as well.

**Tony71502** · 09-01-2009, 07:09 PM

Well, I'm interested in a cover if it has no rust in the bolt threads. Can I just get water pump bolts at advance or order them?

Im right near south hills village mall. If anyone would be so kind as to help me put on the timing cover/water pump(both are already removed), I'll throw you some cash for the cover and your help. I'll also be sure have a pizza and a case of beer on hand.

**Tony71502** · 09-02-2009, 07:56 PM

Can I reuse a gasket that has coolant on it? It's not torn or damaged... just wet. Should I try to dry it out?

Thanks 90tataniumstang for the cover.

I'll post some pics of the gasket to show where it was leaking. It was leaking on both sides but the gasket is only wet on one side. I hope the other side isn't leaking through the pump.

**Tony71502** · 09-02-2009, 08:13 PM

90titaniumstang, I know you boys are at the track right now, and I wish I was, but the timing chain cover doesn't have the small bolt holes like yours.

I have no clue as to why this thing is leaking now. It appears a tiny bit leaked between the pump and backing plate.

Can I not use a gasket between pump and backing plate and just load it with silicone to seal it?

Can I just use a shit ton of silicone between the pump and timing cover, as I used none when it leaked.

Here's a pic of the gasket between the timing cover and the pump. You can see where it leaked. (the leak was on the driver's side)

Here's a pic of my timing chain cover, no cracks and no holes.

Honestly, I don't know what to do in this situation.

**Tony71502** · 09-02-2009, 08:16 PM

Looking back, it seems that the gasket has the holes in it for the timing chain cover that you gave me. It looks as if this hole in the gasket is where the coolant leaked, maybe. Maybe because there are no water pump bolts on the bottom of the pump it didn't have enough clamping pressure to stop the leak? Maybe a shitload of silicone will work when I used none....

**silvernotch** · 09-02-2009, 09:12 PM

I'd put a thin coat of sealer on the gasket and try it again. I think the water pump bolts only get like 15lbs of torque so dont crank them down to tight or you'll be lookin for another cover.

**Tony71502** · 09-02-2009, 09:37 PM

Bob, I already got a new cover (but it has extra holes and the manual fuel pump, got it from 90titaniumstang).

I snapped two bolts trying to get the pump to seal. One I removed with vicegrips, but the other one requires removal of the timing cover(which requires a puller, :(...)

The one that I can not remove(currently) is NOT on the side that did not seal.

Even though having one snapped bolt is BAD. I'm going to try to install the pump with a ton of silicone between the pump and timing chain cover(which had NO silicone before), and if that doesn't seal it up... I guess it's time to find a puller and replace the timing cover.

Bob, I'm sure you don't want to.... but seeing as I go past your house every day going to Lytle road trolley station(you are THAT close to me). Is there any chance I could pay you some cash to help me get this thing healthy again?

Man I wish I could just drive this thing casually for once... ****in cavalier is such a buzzkill.

**edit** I looked at your profile and you're into Beer and work in construction.... ME TOO!..... c'mon man... :)

**silvernotch** · 09-02-2009, 09:47 PM

see what I can do. when do you want this to happen? send me a pm.

**White5.0** · 09-02-2009, 09:55 PM

i didnt read the whole thread so if you already explained this or if someone else mentions it im sorry....but, i dont see silicon on that gasket you pictured? you are supposed to put silicon on both the front and back of the gasket when you put it on...just cake that shit on lol

**Tony71502** · 09-02-2009, 10:28 PM

Bob, I'm back in school... so ANY day after 2pm. would work for me.

White 5.0....

I uses silicone between the pump and the pump backing plate. The gasket shown is the one between the water pump and the timing cover, which I did NOT use silicone on.

That is where I intend to silicone tommorrow night.... (probably without any sort of success considering the car was leaking BEFORE the motor was even fired up). It still hasn't been fired up..

**Tony71502** · 09-09-2009, 12:16 PM

A healthy dose of silicone sealed it up despite one broken bolt on the passenger side. Luckily it is between two other bolts.

The motor started up on the first try. Man that mini starter sounds different. The dist was about one tooth off. That's now adjusted. I didn't pull codes yet because I have MAJOR exhaust leaks and have to redo the exhaust before I can tune this motor for street use.

I'm missing two bolts on the passenger side header. One on the backside of cylinder 3, one on the front side of cylinder 4. I'm hoping the other 6 bolts can provide enough pressure to seal it. The flange on these BBK's is about 1/2" thick.

Leaking from both header to X pipe connections. Leaking at X pipe to cat back connections. I'm going to slice up the X pipe with a cutting wheel today and weld up the exhaust. That's the easy stuff.

I got a few codes when I tried, but I didn't clear the codes so I couldn't really say for sure if there was a problem.

I'm just hoping all works well. Maybe I can FINALLY drive this car. It's been soooo long.

**silvernotch** · 09-09-2009, 04:57 PM

I have some header bolts laying around in the garage

**Tony71502** · 09-09-2009, 05:32 PM

IDK if they will fit. I had 15/16 of the bolts from my shorties and one stock one. I couldn't get the bolts into the holes so I chopped them off with a cutting wheel. That didn't work, they wouldn't screw in. It almost seems as if the holes on the flange aren't lining up with the cylinder head. That doesn't make sense aside from fabrication errors because 6 of the 8 bolts are lined up. I did try it when they were loose.