Timing Chain Cover crankshaft opening is the wrong size

Take your new timing cover to the auto parts store with you when you buy the seal. That way you can be sure it fits with one trip. The new timing cover you have is WAY better than the old ones, no matter where the timing marks fall. If the front seal ever goes bad again, you only have to remove the harmonic balancer to replace it instead of having to drain the antifreeze and pull half the front of the motor off. All LA 318's were neutral balance, so if you buy a harmonic balancer that matches the timing cover year, the timing marks will line up.....even if they are hard to see. No more than a balancer costs, I would replace it vs doing a repair sleeve. I suspect that you are probably replacing the timing chain too if it is sloppy. All of this can be a bit daunting if you haven't done it a lot, so hang in there!

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