The welding rods are more like brazing or solder. I don't know if they would work for that or not. New cover is the safest bet.

 

Thank you, I need to make things as easy as possible for me or I'll never manage this. I have a new water pump ready to put on there as well. I just bought the pump recommended here. At the same time, you'd probably clean the pickup pipe and maybe replace the front crank shaft seal if that becomes easy to access at the same time?

Edit: Actually, the crankcase seal is on the oil cover right? It appears to be included with the SKP assembly already.

 

Yeah, may as well change the front seal. Someone will chime in and say change the timing chain, but unless you have crazy high miles or it is seriously loose you don't need to do that.

 

Front seal will be with the new cover. With mine the crank pulley had grooves worn in that caused the seal to leak so watch for this when you take the pulley off. I ended up using a speedi sleev. No leaks.

 

Yeah, if the front cover has grooves, you can either speed-sleeve or position the seal a bit deeper or shallower so it is not in the groove.

 

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