The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 front bearing to timing cover plate gasket

OK, I can't seem to find an answer to this anywhere. Perhaps you might know. I'm working on restoring my 1949 Chevy 216 engine and do not remember if there was a gasket between the mating surfaces of the front bearing cap and timing cover plate. These surfaces are secured by two bolts inside of the oil pan. Seems like there should be a gasket but one was not included in the engine overhaul gasket set I purchased from NAPA.

There is a gasket between the block face and the plate. The 2 small bolts ,if I understand you correctly, are the lower securing bolts for the the timing gear cover.It is conventient to redrill and tap them from the front so if the timing cover needs to be removed in the future,the oil pan doesn't have to be removed first.There is also a viton semi circle gasket between the oil pan end and the bearing cap.

The front bearing cap does not seal against anything. In front, the timing cover seals against the front plate through a gasket. The pan seals against the rear of the plate through the semi circle pan gasket.

This is excellent advice and unless you are going for a historic restoration this is a great little mod.

Drew says there is a gasket and Truckernix says there is not. I guess if the oil pan end seal and timing cover gaskets are working, why would a gasket be needed between the front main bearing cap and block surfaces? After looking closer, I did notice remnants of a gasket between those two surfaces. Any other thoughts? Thanks for the timing cover bolt modification idea - I will try it!

I did not say a gasket is between the "front bearing cap" and the "timing cover plate" using your descriptions. I said a gasket between the block face,meaning the end of the engine block, and the mounting plate that attached to the block before the crank gear and camshaft and gear are installed.Truckernix is correct.

49Trucknut,
when you remove the bearing cap, there are usually very thin metal shims between the cap and the block. Is this what you are talking about?

This is a classic example of the importance of including a photo with a question.

OK, I agree, a picture is what we need. I am not talking about the shims. I tend to agree with Truckernix but can't figure out what the gasket I'm looking at is doing. I have a great picture that I'll email if you are interested, just send me a PM. By the way, the gasket kit I have includes this gasket but because of how the cap attaches to the block and to the timing cover plate with 7/16 bolts I just can't see how this is a very effective or necessary seal.