MTFCA Forum

My friend and I are replacing the 26-27 timing cover on the 1922 that he recently bought with a correct one. Looking at the neoprene seal that goes on the camshaft we have a question. It has been suggested to install it using a very thin amount of J B weld around the circumference as a little added insurance. What do you do?

I would first test it to see if it is going to seat properly. Sometimes they do.
If it is loose, I'd place it between two blocks of wood and squeeze gently in a vice to bulge or swell the OD.This works very well, actually, and is a very old "fix" for a very slightly oversized hole relative to the seal. Retest.
If it's simply made up its mind to be a slip fit, then Ultra Black RTV smear is more appropriate than any epoxy at this particular interface

For your unasked question: in theory the seal goes in one way. In practicality, it doesn't matter which side of the seal faces "out". This is because the seal has a design to specifically hold pressure unidirectionally and this is not a pressurized system, so there is no "right" or "wrong" installation direction. Personally, I do install them the way most people would expect and that is with the spring retainer/lip facing toward the interior. Doing it the other way would be no cause for a sleepless night.

Thanks Scott, I can always count on you

Have you tried fitting the seal yet? Is it tight or loose (drops in with no resistance)? If it is tight or close to, a light coating of sealer should/might be all that is needed. If you are trying to get a good seal, what condition is the cam nut in where the seal lip rides?

Mark - I'm going to my friend's this afternoon. We were going to try to install the cover so I can't answer your questions until we've taken a good look at it.

Ok thanks.

When the seal is a loose fit, I have resorted to cutting a brass shim to fit the hole. I make it a bit wider than the hole is deep, so there is a little lead-in to start the seal. Doing the job with the cover off is far less fiddly.

Allan from down under.

An aluminum Coke cam works for me. Easy to cut a strip wider than needed, install with soft permatex and trim flush with a Sheetrock knife.

Whatever you do Don't use JB weld for this! Ultra Black by Permatex is the perfect sealant. The JB weld will make removal a major job and since it has little or no flex it is very pron to cracking with hot and cold cycles. You'll also have a perfect sealant with the UB for any other surfaces that you don't want oil to leak.

If you have your radiator off it's also the perfect time to install a seal on the Outside of the crankshaft! Google MTFCA crank seal for info