I have two OEM covers that are a little warped and don't fit quite right. So I made this upper timing cover with sheet aluminum and some rivets. It came out alright for an experiment. I got lucky with the measurements and managed to get the 3 bolt holes to align with the engine perfectly.

You can see one area where there's a rectangular slot- that is as close to a vent that this thing has at the moment. Should any more be added, and if so, where would you put it? Or perhaps this one slot is already too much?


If anyone wants to replicate it, the pics should be self-explanatory, just takes some metal and a cheap riveter from home depot. Oh, and some RTV to silence any metal-on-metal contact points when its mounted. More fun than paying $150 for an ebay one, I think.. hope it polishes up nice.

Well, since the timing belt cover is supposed to protect the timing belt, I would think that you would want as least amount of "openings/vents" as possible. I think the one vent you have will be fine.

Looks nice by the way

Just curious, but where did you get that sheet aluminum? I have been looking for some myself.


Keylan

topnotchgsx said:

Just curious, but where did you get that sheet aluminum? I have been looking for some myself.


Keylan

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Were in a small town and we can get it at Menards or Lowes or Shoppers. If you cant find it there, check a local machine shop.

If you can get your hands on a welder, Id rock a nice TIG or even a MIG with a spool gun. That would look hot.

Hmm, that gives me ideas.

Thats pretty cool.

yea though, i dont see how there would be a need for vents, unless to dress it up. a nice pattern ontop or someting.

topnotchgsx said:

Just curious, but where did you get that sheet aluminum? I have been looking for some myself.


Keylan

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I bought several sheets of this at Home Depot about a year or two ago. I keep finding uses for it, this stuff is great. If they don't carry it anymore I'll be bummed, because I'm running out of it.

absolute_DSM said:

Were in a small town and we can get it at Menards or Lowes or Shoppers. If you cant find it there, check a local machine shop.

If you can get your hands on a welder, Id rock a nice TIG or even a MIG with a spool gun. That would look hot.

Hmm, that gives me ideas.

Click to expand...

I don't have any welding equipment or skills. Anyone who does can probably make a real nice piece..

kmoore said:

Well, since the timing belt cover is supposed to protect the timing belt, I would think that you would want as least amount of "openings/vents" as possible. I think the one vent you have will be fine.

Looks nice by the way

Click to expand...

Thanks, I agree with you on not adding any more holes. I'd probably decrease its effectiveness, while also making a mess out of it in the process.

Add the holes and rivet a piece of metal screen under the metal to keep any thing out

Why would you even need ventilation in the first place?

Yeah I don't really get the vents part...I don't think your timing belt needs its own intake.

It would be hoped a way for heat to escape would help to alleviate the conditions that caused the OEM plastic to warp. To an extent.

Well your thoughts are logical. Ask yourself which is the risk you are welling to take; Warping plastic due to prolonged heat exposure or interferance with the timing assembly from a foreign object.

You have already aided heat transfer by using aluminium, which is one of its properties.