Tapping those timing cover bolt holes is a solution looking for a problem, unless you're planning to change timing gears every couple of months for some reason. Why else would the timing cover have to come off? Even changing the front seal can be done from the outside. Did the machine shop drill and tap the crankshaft snout while it was out of the block so a harmonic balancer pusher can be used? If not, why not? I used to sell a kit to drill and tap the crank with it installed in the engine, but sourcing the drill guide bushings just got to be too much of a hassle, so I don't do it any more. I'll be happy to share the component list with anyone who wants to make up their own kit, as most of the components are standard stock items.
Jerry
