Hot Rods SBC Harmonic Balancer and Timing Chain Cover

Two quick question...
Replacing the timing chain cover on a Chevy 265 I just bought. When removing the harmonic balancer I hear a pop from the back of the motor....Was I just hearing some sorta pressure release, or am I in trouble?

Im also having trouble getting the timing chain cover off. All the screws are out and nothing else seems to be holding it on. Im nervous to just use brute strength and ignorance to pull it off. Any clue?

Thanks for your help and knowledge! I really appreciate the people on this board.

 

Timing chain cover is off. It just needed a little persuading

 

check crankshaft end play (thrust). should be within .003"-.009".

 

Can’t help you with the pop but loosen the oil pan bolts about half way out the pry the front of the pa down then you should be able to remove the timing chain cover.

Ok too slow typing, well it will go better assembling to have the pan down a bit, get the timing cover on then tighten up the pan

 

You better take the oil pan off, remove timing cover, reseal all on assembly.

 

Watched a video on YouTube on how to do this. Thank you

 

Drop the oil pan, force the crankshaft all the way back, then use a feeler gauge to measure clearance between the thrust bearing and the shaft. Force the crankshaft forward and measure again. The numbers should match. A better way is to buy an inexpensive dial indicator and stand and move the crank back, zero the dial, then move it forward.

Either method works, but the dial indicator is probably more accurate. It takes some practice to get repeatable readings.

I think HF has indicators and stands good enough for this. You’re not making a spaceship, so uber expensive tools aren’t a must. You’ll need the tools if you pursue the hobby.

 

I see what you're saying about the oil pan. There a little lip holding the cover.

Everything seems to check out, crankshaft wise. The motor is out of the car and on a stand so it was real easy to check.
I'm hoping the pop sound was just the sound of pressure releasing.

 

What Mad Mikey said.

Pat

 

It it’s out, I’d do the pan as well

 

Did it have an oil slinger?

 

It's a 265 and it had a harmonic damper?

Maybe it's the head injury talking but I thought the SBC had an undrilled crank and just a pulley pressed on, continuing until after the 283 was introduced.

 

If you get it back together without replacing the oil pan gasket you're going to end up with a oil leak until you replace the pan gasket also! Don't cut corners on this part of the job or you'll regret it later.

 

You're half right. The 265 didn't have a bolt, but it did have a harmonic balancer.

 

I have to agree with @gimpyshotrods , the 265 had no harmonic damper, only a hub to bolt the lower pulley to. The hub also provided a surface for the front crank seal.

 

Yes they have some that work fine. Also need a "magnetic base" to hold the indicator. And Yes again that its a good addition to a tool box.

I'd also go on Amazon and search for a book on "Rebuilding the Smallblock Chevy". They also have used ones for about $25 but the new ones are slightly higher. This is a good place to learn a lot about your engine. Look at the various ones available and see which one suits your engine the best.

 

Been a while; but on the 265 engines I had, the pulley was riveted onto the lower hub and had 2 threaded holes for a puller instead of 3 like the later hubs. I remember them being a harmonic damper; but like I said, it has been a while.

The only plain hubs that I came across were on 283 truck motors and they had 3 holes and bolt on pulleys.

 

Thank you gentlemen.

Getting bonked on the head is a frightful experience.