Timing Chain Cover

You are welcome on the ignition....

I don't have a clue about the timing cover. I don't do I-6 anything very often.

How about the crew! One of you guys have the answer to this, I'm sure....

Later, Aaron.

So Many Cats, So Few Recipes...

Double check that "crack", it probably is the casting flash or marks that are very common on these covers. If it is, new ones are still available from Jeep, if you can't find one. Hope this helps, good luck!

CJ--Mag is correct.
If it's not leaking, it just very well may be a casting flash line.

If it's aluminum (I assume it is, CJ Mag is usually correct), and it really is cracked, I'd have it welded before I replaced it. (Unless there is something major wrong with it inside...)

Just a thought...
Aaron.

So Many Cats, So Few Recipes...

I too have a 258 and the cover looks cracked,it isnt though,casting flash as stated above.If it isnt leaking,i wouldnt worry about it,just
take a look now and then.

I am familiar with the casting of these timing covers. I should have added that I rebuilt the engine around 10,000 miles ago and inspected everything at that time. Unfortunately for me it is cracked. I am interested in welding it if it can be done on the Jeep. Is that possible? I do not yet have a welder and would have to take it somewhere to have it welded. I can pull the Jeep apart and put a new on though. I can see and feel the crack. I have found one at a bone yard for $35.00. 4WD hardware has them for $39.99. Jeep wants $79.00 plus $18.00 for a spacer. No where else do I see that I need a spacer. Can anyone tell me what applications needed a spacer? The parts guy at Jeep of course could not. I have been wheeling very hard lately and feel it will be leaking very soon if I do not get it fixed before I go out again this week end.

Thanks,

The "spacer" is actually a dampner to control timing chain slap, it's used on the later model 4.2s and is a "good thing". If the cover isn't cracked badly, just use some epoxy to seal it up, there's not much stress on the cover.