I have the 1970 383 out of my 73 challenger on the engine stand for a clean up and paint job while I'm restoring my engine bay.
The engine had been leaking oil out of the rear main seal so I while back I changed it while I had the car up on my lift, and resealed the oil pan and windage tray with new gaskets and and a touch of gasket sealer; absolutely no leaks since doing that.
Since I've got the top end open I am changing out the head gaskets, etc and I was thinking I should probably look at the timing chain since I'm here, but I don't want to screw up the nice seal I have now.
If I pull the timing chain cover, will it be easy to reseal the bottom of it back to the oil pan?
I doubt it. I would just redo everything while the engine is out on the stand....cutting a corner now, sounds like headaches down the road. :alan2cents:
it is not as bad as most engines because it has the flat oil pan rail , there are 4 bolts at the front that will pull the cover down first then it will go over the guide pins fairly easily , , I would pull the cover for sure you want a double roller chain in there Not the nylon top gear type , use a good sealer , take your time & you should be fine
It's not a big deal to pull the pan if you damage the gasket in front. The rear seal is the tricky part for most people and you don't have to touch it to pull the pan off.