I recently had a mishap and crushed the front of my oilpan when the car slipped off the jack. I have a new pan, so that's good to go, but just discovered this:

I pulled the motor today to change the pan and repaint the motor, and all the paint of the timing chain cover spiderwebbed and cracked from the impact. I'm worried that the cover may have gotten tweaked and I'm leary about re-installing it. Should I get another?

Post up some pictures of it Dan.. I would at least check it out very carefully on the inside. Without pictures I feel like this is a Canadian CSI tv show.:D

I agree. It's hard to say without a close-up pic of it, and that may not show it either. It's your call of course, but if it were me, I'd probably replace it, since it's a fairly easy part to find for a 7" balancer.

I agree. It's hard to say without a close-up pic of it, and that may not show it either. It's your call of course, but if it were me, I'd probably replace it, since it's a fairly easy part to find for a 7" balancer.

Bill, are we talking new or used?

Dan , you've gone this far what's another few bolts? Besides you'll sleep better at night. :D

Don't ya just hate turning bolts to the left after finally finishing turning them all to the right?
BTDT...... I had spun a rod bearing on a motor I thought was good to go not 6 weeks after I finished my car back in 2001............... :mad:

Bill, are we talking new or used?
Well Dan, thats your call too. Personally, I'd find a date coded cover, with the correct timing tab, then I'd be sure it had no pits in it, so it would look factory correct. Nothing wrong with the new GM covers. They just don't have the correct timing tab, as far as I know.

I'd probably replace it too.

Pulled the cover today, no bends or any ripples. The cover had some light filler and thick epoxy primer applied before paint, so it looks like the shock wave from the impact caused the finish to crack. I think I'm in the clear.

Sounds like you're good to go then Dan. I can relate. My timing cover has some filler on it, where there was some pitting.

I was jacking my Elky up last evening to do some maintenance, and now I'm VERY careful with the jack on the cross member.

I was jacking my Elky up last evening to do some maintenance, and now I'm VERY careful with the jack on the cross member.

Bill, if my stupidity and bad luck can help someone else avoid what I did, I'm good!:D

I have done other things that were just as bad and I am sure so have others here:yes:

Arm chair mechanics are about the only ones who never do dumb things. The rest of us have all been there.

Without question I would replace it now, while it's apart...... It is a royal PITA to replace it when the motor's installed......

I would replace it if I were you.