Okay, so it looks like if I am to replace the seal, I can go two ways, one, I should pull the pan, pull the timing cover, replace the seal. I did not consider that a new seal will need the press force with no back support. Why is it that when I go to do a simple task, it turns out to be a major overhaul on everything I touch? By that saying, I may as well turn the lower timing cover bolts around so in the future the next job will not require dropping the pan.
It is hard to turn my back on issues that should be addressed when confronted with them.
Two, as you suggested Jerry, polishing the paint off the outer edge of the lip seal of the timing cover with my wire wheel buffer. That helps the seal slide in without having to hammer on it so hard. LocTite on the outer edge lubes it going in, and then leakproofs it around the outside. once it cures. Should I use a propane torch to heat the timing cover slightly, freeze the seal? And if I haven't disturbed the relationship of the cover to the engine, centering it probably won't be necessary.
Just frustrating.
