258 Timing cover problem

kcr121 · 12-31-2006, 05:00 PM

I'm building an 89 258 with a 4.0 head to go into my 86 CJ. A machine shop assembled the short block for me, and with the new timing set, the timing cover doesn't fit. Does anyone have experience with this or know how I can work around it?

Ken

Mr.Crowley · 12-31-2006, 06:25 PM

the harmonic ballancer is off correct??

CJ Chet · 12-31-2006, 06:51 PM

There are two timing covers for the 258. One is a thin one (older), and the other is thicker (newer one). Found this out when I bought a remanufactured engine. The engine I got was origionally a 1984, going into a 1986 CJ7. Discovered that my accessory brackets (alternator etc.) would'nt fit. Ended up buying a new timing cover. Could be your problem!

kcr121 · 12-31-2006, 07:40 PM

Uh, yeah, the harmonic balancer is off. I'm not sure which of the 2 different timing covers I have. As far as I know, it's the factory timing cover off of the 1989 YJ 258. I'd imagine, in this case, that the thinner one might be the one I'm looking for?

Mr.Crowley · 12-31-2006, 09:01 PM

is it the one that originally came off the engine??did you give the machine shop the shortblock to tear down and rebuild?maybe they switched them up...

kcr121 · 01-01-2007, 02:28 PM

I disassembled the engine and kept the timing cover. The new timing set from a master rebuild kit appears to be slightly wider than the original. Unfortunately, I chucked the original timing set into a dumpster, so I can't upload pictures to compare the two.

Mr.Crowley · 01-01-2007, 07:59 PM

I just found this....http://www.trailquest.com/DriveTrain/Engine_AMC_258.shtmllook at the listing for 39...that may be your problem....
and this copied from a racing amc page for i6's..
Timing Chain:

Cloyes offers a “True Roller” dual-roller timing chain and gear set for the AMC six. The crank gear has three keyways, allowing you to advance or retard the cam by 2 degrees. This chain and gear set is superior to all I have seen, and after thousands of street miles and hundreds of ¼ mile passes the chain is still as tight as the day I bought it. A replacement chain is available for this set. The stock oil slinger may not be used with a dual-roller timing chain set.

CJ Chet · 01-01-2007, 09:53 PM

Look at my previous post. The old timing cover (much thinner) is part #53005768. The newer models had a thicker cover, model #53005769. The part number is on the front of the cover. If you have a '89 engine you need the newer one. Had a similar problem putting a remanufactured engine in my '86 CJ7.

kcr121 · 01-01-2007, 10:44 PM

I'm looking into it now.....think I'm gonna buy that new timing cover and see if it fits. CJ Chet and scrambeled, thanks for your help so far.

Ken

12-31-2006, 07:40 PM	#4
kcr121 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 7 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Uh, yeah, the harmonic balancer is off. I'm not sure which of the 2 different timing covers I have. As far as I know, it's the factory timing cover off of the 1989 YJ 258. I'd imagine, in this case, that the thinner one might be the one I'm looking for?

01-01-2007, 02:28 PM	#6
kcr121 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 7 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I disassembled the engine and kept the timing cover. The new timing set from a master rebuild kit appears to be slightly wider than the original. Unfortunately, I chucked the original timing set into a dumpster, so I can't upload pictures to compare the two.

01-01-2007, 10:44 PM	#9
kcr121 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 7 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I'm looking into it now.....think I'm gonna buy that new timing cover and see if it fits. CJ Chet and scrambeled, thanks for your help so far. Ken