429 Timing cover replacement

Basically the whole front of the engine needs to come off(fan, water pump, alternator & brackets, PS pump and brackets, AC brackets and compressor(don't open the system just set the compressor to the side and tie it up out of the way, same for the PS system). Get a new aftermarket 429/460 timing cover unless you have a known good OEM cover. The old ones usually have corrosion or heavy pitting in the water passages. Make sure you get a timing cover that has the hole/tube for the oil dipstick. I would get an early model timing set (Cloyes 3122) to change the timing set while you are in there. Look very closely at the balancer spacer, if it is grooved, get a replacement or at least a repair sleeve. A new water pump is also a good idea while you are in there, especially if you have AC and all it's brackets. You will be(should be) changing the oil and filter after the timing cover change as well. Lay some rags over the oil pan opening to keep as much gasket material and any other crude out of the crankcase, you'll see what I mean once you open'er up. Good luck and it isn't that bad of a job, just a little time consuming. Todd

No, you don't need to remove the oil pan, unless you drop a bolt or something else in there . Todd

Working on replacing the timing set. Does the woodruff key have to be removed for the crank gear to come off? 

You need to remove the balancer key to remove the crankshaft timing gear. The 460 has two woodruff keys, #1) is for the timing gear/oil slinger/crank spacer #2) is for the harmonic balancer. Once you remove the balancer and it's key you should be able to slide the spacer-oil slinger-then the crank's timing gear off(along with the chain and cam gear) and not have to pull the timing gear key. Hope this helps, Todd

Edited by aquartlow - 10-June-2012 at 9:59AM

Good Deal,                                                                                              It's always nice to get a vehicle up and running once again, especially without having any problems, after turning a wrench or two.

Sounds like a plan. My TJ had a seperate balancer and pulley. Keep us posted on your progress!