Timing Chain Cover Replacement

Q: Timing Chain Cover Replacement

I found the timing chain cover to be crack and a waterpump with bad bearings. My car is a early 1968 with a cast iron waterpump. I understand the timing chain covers and waterpump on 1969 and later are different. Does anyone know if these are interchangable?

A: 1968 and earlier engines used an 8 bolt water pump and matching timing cover. The 1969 and later use 2 flavors of an 11 bolt pump, and basically 1 flavor of 11 bolt timing cover, part number 482893 or 9796345.

So, to answer your question, you can convert to the later 11 bolt timing cover as long as you use an 11 bolt water pump, and the matching pulleys. You have to be careful to get the pulleys that match the water pump. There were 2 variants offered in 1969. Basically, get a 1970 or later pump, and get the pulleys and brackets for a 1970 and later V8 and you’ll be OK. All Pontiac V8 timing covers will fit all Pontiac V8 engines.

Otherwise, look for a 1968 timing cover, part number 9790346. The 1967 V8 has a different part number, 978129, but I don’t know how it differs. 1966 and earlier also have a different number. I believe they differ in the location or appearance of the timing marker. This could also be true with the unique 1967 and 1968 covers as well.

Some used parts vendors such as Frank’s Pontiac Parts in Ramona, CA, Steve Hanson in northern CA, or even Firebird (Camaro) Specialties have clean used covers for sale. It may be easier to locate a 1968 cover than find a later cover, and get the right pulleys and brackets so that all of your belts line up correctly.

A: The timing chain cover averages 125.00 or more and mine was pitted also from age and you cant file them down because the pullys will no longer match up so I shopped around and found Jim Butler Pontiac has the best price. That was hard to beat. His web site it http://www.jbp-pontiac.com

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