5.0 timing cover seal

40cpe

40cpe

Well-known member
I have a '94 model 5.0 engine in my '40. I got it out of a 35,000 mi wreck. a few years ago it started leaking coolant at the seal between the timing cover and the block. I replaced the gaskets with Felpro brand and thought I was through with it. It has started leaking again at the same place but has not gotten as bad as it was the first time.

I'm about to pull my leaking Griffin radiator to replace it and thought this is a good time to try to stop the leak again. It is a major project to remove the radiator because the AC condenser and electric fan are mounted to it with brackets and the grill has to come out to access it all.

I'm looking for suggestions to make sure this is the last time I have to re-seal the timing cover. Is this a common problem with the 5.0? Is there a better gasket than Felpro? would using additional sealant on the gaskets help?

Thanks for any insight.

gene
 
I always use a sealant on both sides of the gasket - usually silicone, the high temp orange stuff.
 
texas webb said:
Might also check cover for true/warp fit.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's my thought, too.

I should have it off today. if it isn't pitted or otherwise damaged I think i'll get a machine shop to surface grind the mounting surface to be sure it's flat.
 
If you surface it more than just a few thousandths, the cam bolt may rub. I see those front covers for sale in several parts books, they must move a lot of them.
 
I had a guy on my forumhttp://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=332 tell us that the 93-94s 5.0 timing covers were thinner as He wanted to drill his for a front dipstick.There was a shorter water pump option in '93-'94 Mustang 5.0 engines which required the matching cover and and balancer,are you running the original serpentine belt setup?
 
Ole Don said:
If you surface it more than just a few thousandths, the cam bolt may rub. I see those front covers for sale in several parts books, they must move a lot of them.
Click to expand...

My thoughts, too, but no-one has given any first hand experience. It is back on now. I set it on a piece of glass and ran a feeler gauge around it. I found no clearance around the water passages, but it was a little gap down around the lower part. It made me wonder if it is not cast that way to put more pressure on the water passages at the top and maybe surfacing it would destroy the designed surface.
 
JeffB2 said:
I had a guy on my forumhttp://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=332 tell us that the 93-94s 5.0 timing covers were thinner as He wanted to drill his for a front dipstick.There was a shorter water pump option in '93-'94 Mustang 5.0 engines which required the matching cover and and balancer,are you running the original serpentine belt setup?
Click to expand...

I had a bad experience with an engine put together from several engine parts so I bought this engine complete from water pump to flywheel. It is original '94 Mustang GT except for the carb and distributor. It is a couple of inches shorter than a v-groove set-up. There is no provision for a fuel pump in the front cover, so that saves some space.
 
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