Front pulley and into the timing chains - gap?

lansalot · Post by **lansalot** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:57 am

Hi

Refitting my RV8 3.9, I was a bit concerned to note the thin plate on the end of the pulleys appears to be the only thing stopping water getting into my timing chain etc, and all within there.

That can't be right, how would that ever get a decent seal? As this is for an off-road trialer, I'm wondering what the score is here? Surely a heap of muddy water into the timing chain, dizzy drive, oil pump etc can't be a good idea... ?

Checked the various RV8 manuals and rebuild references I have and it looks like LR part 613671 Mud Deflector. But "deflection" and "seal" are two different things in my book!

Any ideas?

Thanks

A

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:11 am

Not sure on your specific model. But I have never seen an engine that doesnt have an oil seal there.

lansalot · Post by **lansalot** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:32 am

OK, I just went out and checked the old and new engine. I had stupidly assumed they were the same. The old engine has a seal behind the timing chain cover. The new one doesn't.

FFS... Need to go speak to the guy that built this for me...

One thing after another...

Old...

New.. (ooh look, a timing chain)

Thanks

A

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:38 am

Never seen one that old. But that might be the one where there is a "rope seal" in behind that bolted cover ?
As opposed to a conventional oil seal.

The outer smooth section of the front pulley will slip inside there and seal against the seal.

So seeing through as it is photographed is quite normal. But there will be a seal of some description in there. Or should be. But it does not seal on the crankshaft itself.

lansalot · Post by **lansalot** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:40 am

Surely what it comes down to tho is - I can see the timing chain. I'll be horsing the thing through mud. Mud and chains don't mix well... ?

And the distributor drive, the oil pump drive....

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:00 am

lansalot wrote:Surely what it comes down to tho is - I can see the timing chain. I'll be horsing the thing through mud. Mud and chains don't mix well... ?

And the distributor drive, the oil pump drive....

Well, if you run the engine without a front pulley, then yes. But I suspect you need something to drive an alternator and water pump, and it is normal to fit a front pulley.

Without one, you wont get near any mud or chains.

lansalot · Post by **lansalot** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:02 am

Well yeah, the pulley's will be going back on. But we can see screw heads on that face plate, so with the best interference fit in the world, the mud deflector isn't going to keep anything out of there..

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:09 am

As steve says there is a seal behind that plate. The outside of your front damper rides against that seal.

The smooth shiny bit in this photo:

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:12 am

There should be a seal of some description just here, behind that front plate.

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lansalot · Post by **lansalot** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:19 am

Thanks guys, that's what I had thought. Waiting to hear back from engine-dude...

I notice this is reasonably tight to keep a fair bit of pish out, but it wouldn't be enough I'm sure...

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 11:39 am

Have you read a word I posted ? or even looked just inside the bolted cover ?

DEVONMAN · Post by **DEVONMAN** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 12:14 pm

As A few of the guys have said, there is or should be an oil seal behind the plate with the 8 screws. It's easy to find out by taking the plate off.

This type of front cover is from an early Rangerover which I might add was designed to be capable of going off road with the water and mud flying at the engine. It's even got the additional water deflector on the pulley. So for the sake of a few quid have a new seal fitted and go for it.
Regards Denis

lansalot · Post by **lansalot** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 12:38 pm

Thanks guys. And yes, Steve, I've read every word. I thought you meant I should be able to see something as in my first pic on the old engine. Will look behind the plate. Thanks again

lansalot · Post by **lansalot** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 12:44 pm

Behind the plate is indeed a rubber seal. That'll teach me to comapre apples and oranges. Given most other things different on these engines (externally) I should know better by now. Will replace seal while it's off. Thanks again chaps

DEVONMAN · Post by **DEVONMAN** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 12:49 pm

lansalot wrote:Behind the plate is indeed a rubber seal. That'll teach me to comapre apples and oranges. Given most other things different on these engines (externally) I should know better by now. Will replace seal while it's off. Thanks again chaps

I'm not sure it's apples & oranges.
If you clean off the mud on the old engine I think you will find a plate with 8 screws.
regards Denis