someone please let me know the best was to replace the timing chain cover gasket. does the bottom piece that seals the cover to the oil pan on a 74 454 engine come with the oil pan gasket or the timing chain gasket or can i get it seperate. we removed the cover and gears, cam and the rest and were getting ready to put her back together. do i loosen the oil pan or cut off the rubber and seal it up, or what.
thanks john

John, I have done my 454 a couple times, I never had to loosen the oil pan...I just used Ultra Blue silicone at that junction, and never had a problem...come to think of it, Im not sure if that one comes with a timing cover gasket set, I have a new set in the garage, tomorrow morning Im gonna look, you have me curious. Let the silicone dry if you do it that way, I never had a problem with leaks. John

John, the RIGHT way to do it is to loosen and drop the pan a bit, cuz the pan side gaskets have a little tang that fits into the front seal, but I have known guys (johnnie) who have "the touch" and get away with RTV sealer without messing with the pan. Good luck!

I just got all the parts and stuff I need to re-assemble my 454 yesterday, including the gaskets. The timing cover 'set' I got was from ROL and included the timing cover gasket, the two water pump gaskets, the crank shaft seal, and a rubber oil pan to timing cover gasket. It does look like you would have to drop the oil pan a little to install it the right way, but might be able to get by with not doing it.

Good luck,
Bill C.

thanks. seems like it extends just under the oil pan. i didn't want to pull to hard on the rubber that was left from taking the timing cover off. i'm reluctant to loosen the oil pan not knowing what the previous owner used on it. hmmm, i'll figure somthing out.
thanks for the help, john... ;)