A couple things to check out. The ultra thin speedi-sleeve that I originally mentioned, slides over the seal end of the Harmonic balancer and is glued on with an epoxy adhesive. It gives you a perfectly smooth surface for the new timing cover seal. By having the timing cover loose, when you install the H/B, the seal centers properly on the quick sleeve.
You can pull the cover, straighten out any distorted surfaces, install a new seal and gasket, mount the cover loosley, oil the sleeve and carefully install the H/B, working the seal onto the new sealing surface. Once the seal is started (centered) on the H/B, tighten down the timing cover bolts. It's a good time to visually check out your timing gears but they don't need any R&R unless there is an issue.
Secondly, my machinist dressed my crank during the rebuild to accept the neoprene seal. He felt a rope seal would do a better job of sealing on a crank that has been running a rope seal and has not been dressed. Someone else might be able to expand on this.
Dave
