front engine cover / timing cover
 

Any idea of the difference between the front engine cover / timing cover / oil pump housing for vin numbers earlier than 2A753561 and for vin numbers later...

It seems as the oil pump itself as well as gasket is the same for both earlier and later. I have a later engine model vin and an earlier model cover, they look similar but haven't removed from the truck yet. I wanted to be sure i have something to fit before i remove old.

Thanks

One school of thought is that if your machine had a problem with the oil pump / front cover, it would have died by 50,000 miles. Not every single one in that VIN range had the problem. You can test for good oil pressure with a mechanical gauge.

front engine cover / timing cover
 

Thanks for the thoughts, though I know I am replacing the engine front cover as I am hoping to repair my oil pressure problems. Once the engine is warm, oil pressure drops at idle, though it is fine at higher rpms. we replaced the oil pump internals without fixing the issue so I am thinking maybe a clog in the pump housing. I do have a replacement cover but it is for a younger vin number and I was wondering if anyone knows the difference in the engine covers as the gaskets and internals are the same.

THANKS
tOM

AFAIK, the front covers are exactly the same for both '03 & '04, as they are both 4.6L engines with the exact same engine management system. The problem that has arisen with many '03's is that there were some machining issues when the blocks were machined, something about the front cover dowel pins being misaligned. Some people have suggested just removing the dowel pins altogether during a front cover swap to alleviate this problem. I cannot personally confirm or deny this idea. I swapped just the oil pump internals on my front cover about 3 years ago due to a crack in the outer gears. The next time I have an issue though, I will be replacing the entire front cover.

front engine cover / timing cover
 

How about the 02 cover and the 03 covers, as that is where the vin number break (older and newer) seems to be when looking at new replacements. The gasket, and oil pump internals are the same for either, so both must fit, so where is the difference?

I dont believe the macining problem, was with the cover.
I think it was the machining done on the block,
which is why the recall was to replace the engine not the front cover.
LR would have saved millions if the problem was just front covers.
JMHO