Safe to run without timing cover?

[Pitts]

I'm doing the timing belt and it's lovely components either tomorrow or Monday. I was curious about something. Is it safe to run without the lower timing cover? The Z will see a fair amount of "fun time" this summer and I want to know if I should keep it on or if it doesn't make a difference other than just protecting the belt from road debris. Thanks.

[AZ-ZBum]

It protects a vital belt from road debris, rocks, etc. A belt, that if it snaps, ends your motor. How much more information do you want?

[evildky]

A lot of people run a lot of cars without timing covers. It absolutely does protect your very vital timing belt. Not wearing a cup while playing hockey doesn't mean you will take a stick to the groin, but it means that if you do the consequence will be much more severe. The lower also has the timing indicator so good luck sitting your timing without it.

[Pitts]

Wasn't able to get the harmonic balancer off (even in gear, facing downhill, with brakes being depressed, and e-brake engaged). But I still got the tensioner replaced (which was the culprit). I'll do the timing belt in a couple weeks when I have access to a lift.

[evildky]

If you think the balancer is tough to get off wait till you have to pull the crank gear! That thing is a a real PITSA to get off!

[Pitts]

I watched a video of a guy getting that off. It certainly didn't look fun. Thankfully my friend has every pulley and gear remover Snap-On makes, so that should help me after I could break it free some. But personally, I'd replace the crank gear and remove the old one by drilling and taping out some 10x1.5mm for a pulley puller for simple work.

[z31na2t]

The funny part is, out of the 100+ VGs I've built, only 2 required more than just wiggling and pulling to get the balancer off.

[G-E]

You just need the right kind of puller for the job

[Pitts]

Maybe you're missing what I said. I couldn't get the harmonic balancer off because I couldn't brake the crank bolt loose (facing downhill in gear with brakes depressed even; the crank and cams kept rotating (yes it was firmer, but not enough force)). I've got access to pullers for the balancer itself. But it's useless unless I can get the bolt off.

[evildky]

Oh, you need a good impact. An impact with its shock load is far more effective at breaking these loose.

[Pitts]

Unfortunately at the time I was pushing the clock and I barely had enough coolant to top it back off. So I didn't rip the radiator. I tried using a swivel with my 1/2" impact, but couldn't get the socket on all the way. I love the snap on 1/2" cordless impact, rips off axle nuts like butter.

[evildky]

I too have a snap on cordless, love it, kinda big for tight spots. An air gun is likely a better choice for this task, might even be able to unbolt the engine and raise ti enough to get the clearance you need instead of pulling the rad.

[Pitts]

I'll keep that in mind for any future jobs. I've also got the 3/8 cordless and 1/4" cordless. The 3/8 is overall amazing. But the 1/4" is perfect for transmission pans, oil pans, and valve covers. It doesn't have much speed but man does it have torque.