I was getting ready to pull the timing chain cover and pull the timing chain to see if the oil plug was installed. Does anyone have any tips? How long does it usaly take you all? How many pan bolts do you normal pull?

The main problem when attempting this job with the engine in the boat is clearance enough to bolt on the balancer puller. Once you get that done, the cover comes right off. I dont loosen any oil pan bolts, just pull the top straight out towards you, it will come off.

Getting off is the easy part. Just pull hard. Getting it back on with the pan on and not having any leaks when you're done is the fun part.

Mark 4 covers are pretty easy but Gen 5 & 6 are a real pain. There is a u shaped flange at the front of the oil pan that the cover fits into. Loosen as many pan bolts as you can reach and be careful not to tear the 1 pc. pan gasket. Use lots of silicone when reassembling.

Back in my school days of workng on cars, we used to trim the inside corners of the timing covers u-channel off to allow it it slip back in easier w/o removing the pan. Not sure if that would apply on these motors or not.

I've done the same thing on a 454mag. Grind the corners off about a 1/4 inch on the inside lip. I also loosen about 4 oil pan bolts on both sides.

The first attempt seemed like It was not going to release, but I will give it another go. I have (2) gen VI and the machinist forgot to put the oil plugs in one. I need to put the plug behind the timing chain gear, but the cover is being a pain!

Did the machist do the assembly?