Yes, you have to replace the gaskets if you take the valve covers off. And, get the rubber gaskets, not the cork ones.

 

Oh yes, Cork gaskets stink. And sometimes if there rubber you can take them back off and use them again. I need to get a pair and look at mine. GLen, Are the 66 289 engines have stud mounted rocker arms, or are they on the shaft like on the FE engines?

 

They are stud mounted. You can check to see if your timing chain has excessive play by doing the following: Disconnect the coil power wire and remove the distibutor cap. With a socket and ratchet, rotate the motor backwards (counter clockwise) slowly until the timing mark comes to TDC. Then rotate the motor clockwise very slowly while watching the distributor rotor for movement. If it takes more than 5-10 degrees of crankshaft rotation to get it to move, the timing chain and/or gears are worn.

 

thanks, I have started disassembly, and can't get the Balancer off.[:@] The engine just turns with it. I even tried the air impact gun, but it still didn't break loose.

 

You need a puller:

 

Yeah, I have one, I cant get the Balancer BOLT, off, i left out the key word there. Sorry about that

 

So how can i get that stubborn bolt off?

 

Spray it with some Bolt loosener (Spray, let soak, spray again). You'll need to wedge something that'll keep the crank from turning with the bolt.

 

Mark is right. Use a good penetrating oil to spray or squirt on it and let it sit overnight. Hit it again the next day, but this time use a torch to heat it up. The heat will suck the oil internally around the threads. Then use a 1/2 breaker bar with the correct size socket to break it loose.
On edit: If that doesn't work, then heat the bolt up again, and then immediately pour water on it. That will cause the threads to expand then contract which may get the threads to turn loose from the rust. Just use a simple butane torch you can get from any hardware place or wally world.

 

Thanks guys, I finally got it out, using brute force lol, I put a pipe over the end of the rachet and one good yank popped it right out. Then i removed the timing cover. I got a tooth or two broke on the nylon gear by just looking at it, and the chain is pretty loose. I Should be getting my parts on the 14th. I ordered the timing chain set, timing chain cover gaskets, and a new water pump.