[coolmudrunner]

I did a quicky search and most references were for the smaller v6 trucks so I thought I would just ask.

I have a 1991 4x4 with a 4.3L engine. The crank seal in the timing cover is leaking and starting to get worse. I know I have to drop the pan to get the timing cover off, but it looks to be tight. Will I have to raise the engine to get the pan out or not. And how much of a PITA is this gonna be?

 

[TnHombre]

yes you will have to remove the motor my friend......

and welcome to the site.

 

[coolmudrunner]

completely remove it or just lift it up a little?

 

[bg's]

I have read if you loosen the bolts at the oil pan and wedge a
couple of clothes pin sides at the front sides of the pan, you can
get the timing cover over and off the dowel pins much easier in
order to replaced the timing cover gasket and the rubber seal
between the pan and the block,

That's where most of the leaks come from. Not getting that rubber
seal in correctly when re-installing the timing cover. With the
pan wedged down a bit, it will slip on much easier. The engine
can stay in place or you can loosen the mounts and raise it a
bit to help further..Here's a how to from th SY/TY archives.

The blocks are the same. Be nice if you could replace the old
timing chain and gears with a nice Cloyes double roller at the
same time..Anyway >

http://www.sytyarchives.com/howto/viewarticle.php?article_name=timing_chain.php&dir=engine