My mechanic said my coolant leak was due to a bad gasket on the timing cover. Is this possible?

He said labor for it would be around 300, and he might have to replace the cover.

I would like any input you guys have.

 

Assuming your cover is not cracked, you can do it yourself for less than $20 parts.
It would be your water pump gasket that would leak coolant, the cover gasket would leak oil, so something does not sound right here.
Try another mechanic...

 

Yep he's right. The water pump bolts on the front of the timing cover (unlike GM where it sits over the timing cover). The timing cover is the back plate for the water pump. You can see one of the passage ways right above your fuel pump. The other is on the passenger side, probably blocked by brackets. Not a bad price overall. Working on classics is kind of a break from the every day stuff, so I'm sure he'll give it a good look over while it's apart. So far he seems to be doing right by you. Of course I have yet to meet anyone from your area that isn't decent folk. Unless his labor rate is really cheap, I think he's cutting you a break because he likes working on your car. Plus working on a car like that can bring him a lot of referal business.

Sorry to hear it's not just the water pump.

 

He's had several chances to rip me off, but didnt, so Im pretty trusting when it comes to him.

It's time's like these when I question the decision to have a classic car.

I just cant see myself getting rid of it.


Well, there goes my new carburetor.

 

Ouch, didn't realize you were looking to get a new carb. 69Mach1377 is right, you could do it yourself.

Buy a cheap harmonic balancer/steering wheel puller, the timing cover gasket set, and some silicon sealer (to dab at the pan to timing cover seal junction). You could probably have it done in a weekend. One suggestion though. Have the crank seal installed by a shop. You want that in perfect. If done correctly I've had cars go over 200,000 miles without leaking.

Have you picked up a workshop manual yet? If not, stop by a book store and look at a "rebuilding your small block Ford" book. Even with buying the puller, and having a shop install the crankshaft seal, you're probably looking less than $100.00.

Something to consider.

 

Autozone and others will 'lend' the tool to you. And installing the front seal is not that hard if you have ever installed a seal or bearing in your lifetime. I prefer the orange permatex sealant for jobs like these. $20 max...