Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

One of my long-standing checklist items is to inspect the timing gear. I have no reason to think it's busted, but I'd like to get a sense of its condition. I attempted to remove the side cover to get a look at it, but after removing all the bolts it wouldn't budge.

Any suggestions for how to unstick this cover? Penetrating oil around the edges? Torch?

I'm reluctant to apply a lot of force, both because there's a lot of critical stuff in that area and because it's a good way to get some nasty cuts. I also don't want to remove the main timing gear cover if I don't absolutely have to.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

You said you removed all the bolts........be sure to remove the one that comes from underneath through the oil pan lip.

I used a deadblow hammer to gently loosen the cover...

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

did you remove the bolt on bottom that comes up thru oil pan?

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

Oil pan bolt bottom corner

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

Thanks everyone, yes I did remove all three bolts.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

A blow from a rubber hammer is how I get things to move.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

Rubber hammer or dead blow should pop it free.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

Isn't there 5 bolts?

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

Get some help,the suggestions you initially made for removing the cover imply your skills lie else where than basic mechanics..please don't take that wrong,even if you do get the cover off a little help in technique will insure it wont leak,its encompasses three gaskets,two of which are partially exposed by the small cover.rip those gaskets and don't assemble it correctly you will pour oil.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

Removal of the side plate of the timing cover. To remove this undo the two retaining side bolts (7/16th) , the three front bolts ( 9/16th) and the sump nut which also retains it. The sump nut can be difficult to get at especially if the engine splash plates are in situ,- gentle leverage of the plate allows an extra few millimetres

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

If my skills were in basic mechanics I would not be on this forum asking this question; "getting help" is exactly what I'm doing.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

Well said Alexiskai. Good on yer! Unsolicited opinion as opposed to useful advice occurs all too often on forums -even fordbarn.com . Don't be afraid of asking advice and try to ignore ignorant comments .

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

A putty knife between the cover and block, tap lightly with a hammer.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

Probably stuck on w/gasket goo of some sort. Leave the 2 large bolts in loosely until it's loose. That way if you shmuck it w/a hammer it won't go flying.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

That's some good advice there. So I've had two main suggestions: (a) give it some taps with a dead-blow hammer, see if it shakes loose; (b) use a thin implement such as a flathead screwdriver to gently work into the mating surface and see if it can be carefully pried apart.

Thanks all, and to those who DMed, I'll go try this out.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

Leave it alone.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

That is good advice often, but the bolts are already out and he has a curiosity.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

Check your Private Messages.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

Didnt mean to insult anyone.When you mention using a torch to remove the timing gear inspection cover you reveal a bit of your skills.

Re: Stuck side cover for timing gear
 

Ha, I do that all the time around here. I've started threads with "I've never done this before" and "Keep in mind I have no idea what I'm doing." I've asked about technical details that turned out to not even exist. I routinely reply to people with "What exactly does that mean?" When someone recommended a dead-blow hammer I had to google what that was (I'm gonna buy one).

People come to FordBarn for different reasons – well, I come here to get educated. I'm not embarrassed about it.