1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

[Ruedi K.]

Just a little question. I did not find anything in the NCRS judging guide. The timing chain cover on a 1963 327/300, should it be natural or painted orange?Thank you again. I am still learning a lot about my car.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

Paint it orange.

[Ruedi K.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

Thank you for the prompt answer. Mine is a chrome one installed. I've got an oil leak problem behind it. I just can't find the thread where it mentions the harmonic balancer of 327/300HP which is really hard to get off and replace without damaging anything. This is the only task I'm afraid of doing so far. I know that at some point in the future I will be forced to do it. I read something about using a puller, hammer and block of wood.

Further info on this topic woud be appreciated.

[Bob R.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

Removing the balancer is really not very difficult you just need a puller. I purchased a cheap one at Harbor Freight and it worked fine. Attach the puller and the balancer will work its way off. Installing on a 300 hp car can be difficult. If you don't have a center bolt installed on the crank you will have to use a block of wood and hammer it on. The balancer has a key way on it so you won't have any difficulty aligning it.

[Mike E.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

The water pump was on the engine when the engine was painted at the factory, so the timing chain cover was incompletely painted. When installing the balancer, to warm it a bit in the oven helps it go on a bit easier.

[Ruedi K.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

Thank you for the replies. This will be a task I might tackle the next winter. Main problem will, as you mentioned, be the reinstallation that it is tight enough. Otherwise I would have a big problem. Thanks for the tip with the oven.

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

Removing the balancer is really not very difficult you just need a puller. I purchased a cheap one at Harbor Freight and it worked fine. Attach the puller and the balancer will work its way off. Installing on a 300 hp car can be difficult. If you don't have a center bolt installed on the crank you will have to use a block of wood and hammer it on. The balancer has a key way on it so you won't have any difficulty aligning it.

Most balancer pullers can also be used to install the balancer, if I remember correctly.

[Bob R.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

Only if the crank was drilled for a bolt and the 63 300 hp was not drilled for a bolt.

[Ruedi K.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

Hello again

I finally decided to tackle the removal of the balancer on my 63 327/300. It is not drilled for a bolt .

Could somebody who has done that before give me installation instructions from start to the end, please? I am especially interested in the reinstallation of the balancer. I will print the instructions out as a guideline.

This oil leak is getting worse and worse now.

Thank you for any help and advice.

Ruedi

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

Ruedi,More bad news as when you remove the balancer you may (will) find that the balancer has a groove where the oil seal should seal to the balancer. It's not the end of the world as several companies such as jegs and summit sell a sleeve and seal to solve the problem. Make sure that you completely epoxy the sleeve to the balancer to keep oil from going under the sleeve.Purchase the correct puller and that job of pulling the harmonic balancer is a piece of cake. It will take longer to get to the balancer than complete the fix.With the help of a shade tree mechanic you can drill and tap the 300HP crank and the job of reinstalling the balancer will be nothing after using the correct installation tool.Good luck and take every step carefully. You'll be proud of your work.JR

PS. And yes I know the 300HP crank is forged boys.

[Ruedi K.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

Hello Joe

Thank you for your advice. I think I won't have the crank drilled and tap, as I heard it should be possible to do it with a block of wood and sledge hammer. I will try it that way and seal everything so that no oil gets under the sleeve.

Do you mean the following part to solve the problem with the groove leak: http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5Z50000050B~~~

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

Ruedi,

That will work but I would prefer a kit that supplied an oversize seal as well. That kit will put a lot of stress on the stock seal but will surely seal it without a doubt. If you use that kit generously lube the seal lip and sleeve when you install the balancer.

Good luck,
JR

[Ruedi K.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

Jim,

Do you have a tip where I could get a kit with an oversize seal as well?

Thank you

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Corvette timing chain cover color

Ruedi,More bad news as when you remove the balancer you may (will) find that the balancer has a groove where the oil seal should seal to the balancer. It's not the end of the world as several companies such as jegs and summit sell a sleeve and seal to solve the problem. Make sure that you completely epoxy the sleeve to the balancer to keep oil from going under the sleeve.Purchase the correct puller and that job of pulling the harmonic balancer is a piece of cake. It will take longer to get to the balancer than complete the fix.With the help of a shade tree mechanic you can drill and tap the 300HP crank and the job of reinstalling the balancer will be nothing after using the correct installation tool.Good luck and take every step carefully. You'll be proud of your work.JR

PS. And yes I know the 300HP crank is forged boys.

JR-------


ALL 327 crankshafts used in Corvettes were forged with the exception of 1968 300 HP.