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Front, top timing case cover not flush to head

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    Front, top timing case cover not flush to head

    When I first installed the front top timing case cover, I noticed its a good ~ 1/16 to 1/8" taller than the head.

    The head was resurfaced, but this was done professionally and they said that very very little came off the head, not even a sixteenth. I didnt think to give them the head with the timing cover so it could be shaved. That being said, just looking at the cover, I dont think that much could be scraped off the cover safely anyways.

    Instead, I think I need to somehow crush the rubber gasket between the two. I only have two hands and Im trying to push down with all my might but I cant get the damn thing level.

    Anyone else run in to this? Should I use silicone gasket across the valve cover gasket and make sure its sealed? Or is there a trick to this.
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    #2
    Originally posted by jaredmac11 View Post
    When I first installed the front top timing case cover, I noticed its a good ~ 1/16 to 1/8" taller than the head.



    The head was resurfaced, but this was done professionally and they said that very very little came off the head, not even a sixteenth. I didnt think to give them the head with the timing cover so it could be shaved. That being said, just looking at the cover, I dont think that much could be scraped off the cover safely anyways.



    Instead, I think I need to somehow crush the rubber gasket between the two. I only have two hands and Im trying to push down with all my might but I cant get the damn thing level.



    Anyone else run in to this? Should I use silicone gasket across the valve cover gasket and make sure its sealed? Or is there a trick to this.


    I'm no specialist here by any standard, but my only input is to double check that you're not using an m44 upper timing cover? Good luck man


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    [SIGPIC]sigpic
    '91 318i sedamn

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      #3
      Originally posted by noahds View Post
      I'm no specialist here by any standard, but my only input is to double check that you're not using an m44 upper timing cover? Good luck man


      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
      This timing cover came from an E30 M42 in my garage (my e36 M42 timing cover stripped out). I'd say its possible I was wrongly given an M44 head but I believe those are completely different, right?

      Unfortunately I did not get to source the head, it came from the machine shop so I dont know for certain. The head came with the lightened valves, the springs are NOT tapered and bucket hydraulic lifters without rocker arms, so unless the head is an m44 and the cams, lifters, springs etc are an e36 m42...I really dont know.

      Now you have me worried.

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        #4
        When I resealed my M42 I had get serious with some clamps to squash the top case down to the lower case, mine looked like that when I started.

        Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

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          #5
          And make sure lower case lines up to upper pan/bottom of block.

          Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

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            #6
            And use the bolts from lower to upper case to draw top case down.

            Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

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              #7
              I think the bottom case is good, and when I set the upper case on top the lip of the crushed rear seal (crushed by installing the head ) it sits perfect and flush.

              So I think I need to get crazy with clamps. I was fearful I would crack the case but I'll try.

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                #8
                And use the bolts from lower to upper case to draw top case down.
                that's what I was thinking- they're on the inside on the M42, right?
                Wait- (looks at realoem diagram) no, there aren't any vertical bolts for the front cover,
                wrong engine.

                t
                now, sometimes I just mess with people. It's more entertaining that way. george graves

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                  #9
                  I always had a little bit of a ledge. You just have to push it down tight against the outer profile gasket before you bolt it to the head to shrink said ledge.

                  IG @turbovarg
                  '91 318is, M20 turbo
                  [CoTM: 4-18]
                  '94 525iT slicktop, M50B30 + S362SX-E, 600WHP DD or bust
                  - updated 1-26

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                    #10
                    Just use the valve cover to squash the cover into the rubber profile gasket. Put the upper cover on with its bolts fairly loose. Then put the valve cover on, without its gasket, and then carefully/slowly use some M6 bolts with washers to squash the valve cover down onto the cover. The valve cover bolts will not work since they have a shoulder, so either buy some extras or repurpose some of the front cover bolts. Once the valve cover has squashed the front cover into place, tighten it into place, remove the valve cover and reassemble everything else.

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                      #11
                      Originally posted by bmwman91 View Post
                      Just use the valve cover to squash the cover into the rubber profile gasket. Put the upper cover on with its bolts fairly loose. Then put the valve cover on, without its gasket, and then carefully/slowly use some M6 bolts with washers to squash the valve cover down onto the cover. The valve cover bolts will not work since they have a shoulder, so either buy some extras or repurpose some of the front cover bolts. Once the valve cover has squashed the front cover into place, tighten it into place, remove the valve cover and reassemble everything else.
                      Good idea.. Im going to try this with an emphasis on careful since it's super easy to strip these out.

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                        #12
                        I literally sat on the edge with the valve cover on and that seemed to do the trick.

                        Cant speak enough of Harbor Freight engine stands... and my fat ass.
                        Last edited by jaredmac11; 03-19-2017, 07:11 PM.

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                          #13
                          Always had an oil leak here. I suspect my car had a head skim before I bought it. Ended up using a little black rubberised "instant gasket" to seal it.
                          My BMW site: www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk since 1996

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