Colin Lindsay Posted February 23, 2020 Report Share Posted February 23, 2020 I've had to remove the Mk1 timing chain cover due to a bad oil leak (yes the one that dripped on the MOT tester's head) - it was either a badly fitting oil seal, or a warped cover - both now rectified with a new seal and gasket, and judicious use of a hammer and dolly. I've got five pan head screws, one nut / stud, and the rest bolts - I think there should be two studs adjacent to each other so will sort that out however one of the bolts (or setscrews, whatever you want to call them) is shorter than the others by about 1/4 inch. I cannot find, in any of my manuals, one short bolt; all the sizes are given as exactly the same, 5/16 x 3/4. Is this just an error on this car or should there be a shorter bolt somewhere around the timing cover? I don't want to strip threads by forcing a longer one where it shouldn't go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted February 23, 2020 Report Share Posted February 23, 2020 Any use? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted February 23, 2020 Report Share Posted February 23, 2020 Colin, That diagram from Sam is in all the workshop manuals. Don't you have one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkshire_spam Posted February 23, 2020 Report Share Posted February 23, 2020 1 hour ago, Colin Lindsay said: however one of the bolts (or setscrews, whatever you want to call them) is shorter than the others by about 1/4 inch. I cannot find, in any of my manuals, one short bolt; all the sizes are given as exactly the same, 5/16 x 3/4. I think its a case of a previous owner/mechanic just using something they think fits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2020 1 hour ago, JohnD said: Colin, That diagram from Sam is in all the workshop manuals. Don't you have one? Yes; they all show the same order of pan heads and screws, but not one mentions a short bolt. Why is why I'm asking... just in case. It doesn't hurt to be sure. I have the short pan-head screw fitted, but one short bolt and one long left over, and am just checking. Incidentally the one I was looking at a few minutes before I posted shows two studs and two nuts at the 10 and 11 o'clock positions, as does the early GT6 Workshop manual; that diagram only shows one, so there are differences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 23, 2020 Report Share Posted February 23, 2020 its a short screw as only has the plate to thread into,, theres no through hole behind the plate in that one location D like wrong bolts in the alloy bridge its a candidate for a leaker or stripped out if too long Pete 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2020 Stainless steel bridge fitted - I must have had spare cash back then.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil C Posted May 12, 2023 Report Share Posted May 12, 2023 Can I just ask why the use of different fixings? I get the need for a shorter bolt but why can't bolts be used for all? Certainly easier to fit! I ask as my car has a random mixture, should I be concerned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJB350Z Posted May 12, 2023 Report Share Posted May 12, 2023 19 minutes ago, Phil C said: Can I just ask why the use of different fixings? Having done mine recently I noticed that the pan head screws are all going into the plate only, and not the block. My guess then, is that it's to prevent tame gorillas from doing them up so tight that the threads strip on the plate. As you say, the different lengths make sense for the block etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted May 12, 2023 Report Share Posted May 12, 2023 Sounds sensible but what a pity the bottom fixing into the aluminium bridge piece isnt a pan head screw too as this is probably the easiest to strip of all of them🙁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil C Posted May 13, 2023 Report Share Posted May 13, 2023 I guess that makes sense. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJB350Z Posted May 13, 2023 Report Share Posted May 13, 2023 I've seen people modify the engine plate with weld nuts and then insert a regular bolt matching the rest for a uniform look and more reliable fixing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil C Posted May 13, 2023 Report Share Posted May 13, 2023 Yes, also a fall back position after the gorillas have been at your engine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed.h Posted May 15, 2023 Report Share Posted May 15, 2023 The fasteners that just went into the thin front plate eere pan head screws so that they couldn't be over-torqued. That unfortunately didn't keep them from stripping anyway. As DJB said, some have welded nuts in those locations, permitting hex bolts and proper torque to stem leaks. Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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